Family of Gaia Pope release guide for searching for missing people
The family of Gaia Pope have released a search guide on the anniversary of the date the teenager was found.
Gaia Pope's family have released a search guide in memory of the 19-year-old whose body was discovered three years ago today.
'Gaia's Guide: a Community Organising Guide to Help Keep Missing People Safe' has been produced to help give families a path through the turmoil that comes with a missing family member.
Gaia's body was found on a coastal path near her hometown of Swanage after a massive community response.
The publication her family produced has step-by-step guidance on mobilising and supporting a community response when someone goes missing, covering everything form how to search, to engaging with the press and police.
Gaia's cousin, Marienna Pope-Weidemann produced the guide to ensure other families have a pathway through the difficult task of mounting a response to find a loved one.
She said:
“Gaia’s Guide has been a labour of love for her. Though in cases like Gaia’s community action can be the difference between life and death, shockingly there are no national police procedures informing families what they can expect.
"That needs to change. Meanwhile, going back over what happened hasn’t been easy but it’s worth it if Gaia’s Guide can help other families through that nightmare and bring even one missing person to safety.”
Gaia’s twin sister Maya Pope-Sutherland, says:
“When Gaia went missing I didn’t know what to do, none of us knew what to do. We knew with public backing and attention the police would have to do something but I didn’t know how to get the word out.
"If it wasn’t for Marienna and all the volunteers I think we’d still be searching. We want to offer the guide so families know what to do. When someone you love disappears it’s hard to even think straight. Hopefully Gaia’s Guide will help.”
Remi Arnold, Family Support Manager at Missing People, says:
“It’s heart warming to see something good come from such a tragic event. There is something very powerful about family members using their own experiences to help and support others.
"We’re pleased to include this brilliant resource on our website. Gaia’s family should feel proud of this great work; it’s a wonderful way to honour her memory.”
The guide is now available to download free from justiceforgaia.com as well as on the new Missing People website.