Bullying probe over hanged girl

Cherelle Evans was an active member of her school choir

Police are investigating claims that a schoolgirl who was found hanged at her home may have been bullied.

Cherelle Evans, 13, was discovered in her bedroom in Ton Pentre, Rhondda, on Monday evening. A handwritten note was also found.

Officers are looking into claims the Treorchy Comprehensive pupil was bullied, but said it was too early to say if this contributed to her death.

Cherelle's family also paid tribute to their "loving daughter".

It is understood that the family had moved to Ton Pentre from Cardiff within the past few months.

Det Chief Insp Phil Jones, who is heading the investigation, said: "This is a tragic incident that has had a huge impact on the family and on the community.

Cherelle was a loving daughter, full of energy and will be sadly missed by her family and close friends Family statement

"Our job now is to look at the circumstances surrounding Cherelle's death. We are investigating on behalf of the coroner and are not treating it as suspicious.

"We can confirm that we are investigating a complaint of bullying made by Cherelle's family but it is too early to say if this has contributed to this tragic incident."

He added: "We are working closely with, and with the full support of, Treorchy Comprehensive School and the local authority to determine the facts about the case."

Police also issued a brief statement from the schoolgirl's family.

'Time to grieve'

"Cherelle was a loving daughter, full of energy and will be sadly missed by her family and close friends," the statement said.

"We would like to thank our neighbours for their full support, cards and flowers and now need the time to grieve and come to terms with Cherelle's loss."

Bethan Guilfoyle, headteacher of Treorchy Comprehensive, said Cherelle would be missed by all her friends and staff in the school.

Mrs Guilfoyle sent "sympathy and heartfelt condolences" to Cherelle's family over the tragedy.

"Cherelle came to this school in September 2005 from one of our local primary schools and immediately settled in and took a very active part in school life," she said.

"She attended, with her friends, sports clubs and was a very active member of the school choir.

"Cherelle was also a committed member of the book club where she showed a great interest in reading."