Murdered schoolgirl's mother found safe

(PA)

The mother of murdered schoolgirl Tia Rigg was found safe and well today after going missing.

Lynn Ahmed, 34, was considered a suicide risk after taking her 12-year-old daughter's belongings when she left her house in Salford, Greater Manchester.

She was found by officers at a friend's house in Salford, police said.

Her daughter was found dead at a house in Cheetham Hill, Greater Manchester, last Saturday.

Tia's uncle John Maden, 37, who is Ms Ahmed's brother, appeared at Manchester Crown Court yesterday charged with her murder and was remanded in custody.

Ms Ahmed left a note intimating she wanted to be with her daughter before she went missing last night around 11pm, police sources said.

Her phone was switched on briefly this morning, allowing officers to narrow down the search.

A family member received a text message purportedly from the mother, who lives in Kimberley Street, Higher Broughton.

Tia's parents are understood to be separated, and the victim had three younger brothers and sisters.

A post-mortem examination concluded the youngster had been strangled and stabbed.

More than 5,500 people have joined a group called RIP Tia Rigg on the social networking site Facebook.

The family were too upset to comment at the time of her death.