MISSING GIRL 'MURDER'

Man, 29, appears in court for murder of Louise Smith, 16, found dead in Hampshire woods after going missing

A MAN has appeared in court charged with murdering a 16-year-old girl found dead in woodland 14 days after she went missing.

Louise Smith was discovered dead in the woods in Havant, Hants, just minutes from her home on May 22.

Shane Mays, 29, was charged with murder last night after first being held on suspicion of kidnap.

The murder charge relates to May 8 - the day Louise went missing.

He today appeared at Portsmouth Magistrates' Court for a short hearing where he spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address.

Mays was remanded in custody to next appear at Winchester Crown Court on Tuesday.

Student Louise is thought to have been staying with Mays and his wife CJ - thought to be Louise's cousin - at their flat in Havant after she fell out with her mum.

The pair’s apartment is just minutes from Louise’s home.

CJ Mays was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, but has been released on bail.

HEARTBREAKING TRIBUTES

A huge search was launched for Louise when she disappeared from Havant on VE Day.

Her phone was later traced to a nearby skate park but then switched off - with cops starting to trawl nearby lakes and beauty spots in the hunt for the teen.

Tragically she was found in the woodland a mile from her home on May 22 - two weeks after she first vanished.

On Sunday, Louise’s mum, 39-year-old Rebecca Cooper, paid tribute to her daughter by posting a photograph of them together with the caption: “so proud of my girl Louise”.

Purple balloons – believed to be the young girl’s favourite colour – were also left by the entrance to the woodlands.

One note left for her read: “Your life was only just beginning, rest in peace beautiful girl. Fly high Louise.”

Another said: “God bless you darling, fly high with the angels.”

A family friend described Louise as “charming” and “always friendly”.

Jackie Meredith said: “She was a really lovely young girl and her family were lovely too.

“She was just your typical teenager, she was a bubbly and funny girl.

“You could chat to her easily, she was a charming young girl and was always friendly to people.”