Family tribute to murder victim

Ms Laggan went missing on 27 December

The murder of a mother of two whose body was found in dense woodland has left her family dealing with an "unbearable loss".

The body of Claire Laggan, 25, of Conan Road, Conisbrough, South Yorkshire, was found in a disused quarry three weeks after she went missing.

Ms Laggan, who had drug problems, had two sons, aged four and five, who were looked after by her mother.

Police said she had turned to prostitution in recent years.

Claire is our beloved daughter, granddaughter, sister and friend and our feeling of loss is unbearable Claire Laggan's family

A post-mortem examination revealed Ms Laggan had died from head injuries.

She had been missing from her home since 27 December and her body was found on 17 January.

South Yorkshire Police said she did not live with her children and had battled drug problems since her teenage years.

Officers said she had spent Christmas Day with her mother before disappearing two days later. She was reported missing on 3 January.

In a statement, Ms Laggan's family revealed their grief at her death.

"Claire was devoted to her two sons. She recognised that she had problems and desperately wanted to change her lifestyle.

'Lovely Christmas'

"We had a lovely family Christmas together and Claire spent a lot of time with her sons and had the joy of watching them open their presents on Christmas morning, which meant a great deal to her."

They added: "Claire is our beloved daughter, granddaughter, sister and friend and our feeling of loss is unbearable."

Police search teams found Ms Laggan's body at the rear of Northcliffe School in the disused and overgrown quarry, known locally as Ladies Valley.

Supt Bob Yates said the investigation into her death had no direct link to the world of drugs and prostitution, but both of the areas remained as lines of inquiry.