Tributes paid to Leah Sloan / McCrea in Larne, 'the sweetest girl ever', after body is found in Inver River

Leah was last seen in Pound Street on Thursday, April 25 at around 1.30am.

Searches and appeals were launched to try to find her but on Monday evening, police issued a statement confirming the sad news that a body had been found in the Inver River.

A PSNI spokesperson said: “Formal identification will take place in due course and Leah’s family has been informed.

"We would thank everyone who assisted with the search for Leah.”

Tributes have been paid to Leah, described as “the sweetest most caring girl ever”.

A spokesperson for Larne High said the entire school community “is deeply saddened to learn of the death of former pupil Leah Sloan / McCrea”.

Extending sympathies to her family and friends, a post on the school’s Facebook page said: “Leah, you never were, nor never will be, forgotten by your teachers here at school. Rest easy darling girl.”

Hundreds of messages of condolence have been posted online since the heartbreaking news emerged that a body had been found.

One friend simply said: “Rest in peace Leah McCrea you were taken far too soon and will be missed so much.”