Police hunt girl's killer

Police hunt girl's killer

Hannah's disappearance prompted a big search

A post-mortem examination is due to be carried out on the body of 17-year-old Hannah Foster, who was found dead in Southampton on Sunday.

Hannah was last seen walking home in Portswood after a visit to a pub on Friday.

Her fully-clothed body was found in undergrowth next to a road in West End at 1400 GMT.

Hampshire police say Hannah was abducted only minutes away from her home.

They have urged local women to avoid walking alone at night.

Detective Inspector Tony Adams said Hannah's family were "devastated by their loss".

He added: "Our hearts go out to the family of Hannah and they can rest assured that no stone will be left unturned in this investigation."

Detectives are looking at sex offences and crimes committed against women in the area but would not comment on whether Hannah had been indecently assaulted or not.

Their main line of inquiry is that the killer was not known to A-level student Hannah but they say they are "keeping an open mind to any possibility".

Meanwhile, staff and classmates at Hannah's college are already planning a memorial to the youngster who had secured a place at Bristol University to study medicine.

Godfrey Glyn, principal of Barton Peveril College in Eastleigh, said: "This is a tragedy out of all tragedies.

"Hannah was the kind of student you love to work with - we could see a great future for her."

Hannah had spent Friday evening with friends at the Hobbit pub in Bevois Valley.

She was last seen at 2250 GMT as she walked home along Highfield Lane and turned into Shaftsbury Avenue on her way home.

The student was only half a mile from home and police believe she was abducted.

When she failed to return home to her Grosvenor Road address in Portswood, her parents called the police.

A 17-year-old girl, who did not wish to be named, said: "I used to go to dance class with her. She was a nice, intelligent and popular girl."