Nora Quoirin Missing: Body Found In Search For London School Girl In Malaysia

A body found in a forest in Malaysia on Tuesday is suspected to be that of the Irish teenager Nora Quoirin, who disappeared from a resort where she was staying with her family on Aug. 4.

The body was found by a “member of the public on the tenth day of an intensive search of the jungle in Seremban, Malaysia,” UK's Metro news reported.

The Lucie Blackman Trust, formed after a brutal killing in Japan in 2000, which exists to support British nationals in crisis overseas, is handling the media for the Quoirin family. In a statement, the Trust confirmed that a body has been found while searching for Nora. However, they didn't confirm if it was the same girl who had gone missing. The Trust further said the investigation into the matter is underway to confirm the identity and cause of death.

The body was found less than a kilometer from the eco-resort where her family was staying. State police chief Mohammed Yusop said that a body was found in the Betembum mountains and is not in an accessible place. He added that the body was that of a white female, adding to the likelihood that the search for the missing girl was over.

Before Tuesday’s discovery, the parents of Nora -- Sebastian, 47 and Meabh, 45 -- made a heartfelt appeal and offered a £10,000 reward for any information that would lead to her safe return. Fundraisers set up by relatives had raised over £100,000. Meabh appeared before cameras Monday looking visibly emotional and said, “Nora is our first child. She has been vulnerable since the day she was born." This was said in reference to the child’s special needs from a congenital brain defect called holoprosencephaly.

The search involved more than 300 personnel including from the National Crime Agency (NCA), the Metropolitan Police and the Malaysian police. Drones and scent dogs were also used along with the recordings of the mom’s voice calling out to her lost daughter. Volunteer hikers offered to search the forests and local shamans (medicine men) prayed sitting cross-legged on the forest floor.

Sunday before the discovery of the body was an Islamic holiday called Hari Raya Haji or ‘festival of sacrifice’ celebration. Nora’s parents made a point of thanking the searchers, saying, “You have given up your time especially at a special festival time. We see you working so hard and also praying with us and being with us.” They remained hopeful of finding their daughter alive until the search came to its sad conclusion.