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Death house body hunt winds down | |
(about 6 hours later) | |
The search for bodies at a house in Kent where the remains of two teenage girls were found is drawing to a close. | |
Excavations outside the house have finished and police believe it is unlikely anything will be found inside. | |
The family of Vicky Hamilton, whose body was found at the property in Irvine Drive, Margate, issued a statement thanking Essex Police. | |
Vicky's two sisters and her brother said the family had been ripped apart by their sister's disappearance. | |
The body of Vicky, who was from Redding near Falkirk, was discovered on 12 November at the property in Irvine Drive, Margate, where Peter Tobin used to live. | |
We are looking for evidence now rather than people Det Supt Tim Wills | |
The statement was released on behalf of Sharon, 26, and twins, Lee and Lindsay, 23. | |
"This is a difficult time for us all but the knowledge that Vicky will be reunited with her mother gives us solace and a degree of comfort. | |
"After 16 long years we are thankful we can finally grieve for Vicky and give her a proper burial." | |
A priority for police is to confirm the identity of the second body as that of 18-year-old Dinah McNicol, from Essex. | A priority for police is to confirm the identity of the second body as that of 18-year-old Dinah McNicol, from Essex. |
Police will then interview Peter Tobin, 61, who has been charged in Scotland with the murder of Vicky Hamilton, 15. | Police will then interview Peter Tobin, 61, who has been charged in Scotland with the murder of Vicky Hamilton, 15. |
Detective Superintendent Tim Wills, of Essex Police, said the focus was now on gathering evidence. | |
Operation Anagram | |
He said: "We are looking for evidence now rather than people. That could be just a very small thing." | |
Nationally the police are continuing Operation Anagram, which aims to establish if the discoveries in Margate are linked to other unsolved cases. | |
Dinah's father Ian McNicol visited the house on Monday following the discovery of a body 16 years after his daughter failed to return home to Tillingham from a trip to Hampshire. | |
Formal identification of what is believed to be her body is expected to take several days. | Formal identification of what is believed to be her body is expected to take several days. |
Essex Police said there had been no other significant discoveries at the property since the second body was found on Friday. | |
Vicky went missing in Bathgate, West Lothian, in 1991. Peter Tobin was charged with her murder and appeared at Linlithgow Sheriff Court on Thursday. | Vicky went missing in Bathgate, West Lothian, in 1991. Peter Tobin was charged with her murder and appeared at Linlithgow Sheriff Court on Thursday. |
The BBC cannot show pictures of Peter Tobin's face because of legal restrictions in Scotland. |