Latest: Body found in Malaysian rainforest is Nora Quoirin, family confirm
A body found in Malaysia has been confirmed to be that of missing teenager Nora Quoirin.
The 15-year-old’s body was identified by the Quoirin family today, hours after it was discovered following a large-scale search operation.
Nora, who has special needs, disappeared from the jungle resort of Dusun on Sunday August 4, where she had been on holiday with her family.
The Lucie Blackman Trust, which is handling media for the Quoirin family, confirmed “with great sadness that the body found today is that of missing teenager Nora Quoirin. Local police have confirmed identification.”
Media release - Body found in search for Nora Quoirin - identification confirmed. Our thoughts and support continue to be with the family. pic.twitter.com/Qb9rJfFQNw
— LBT Global (@LBT_Global) August 13, 2019
Earlier national deputy police chief Mazlan Mansor told reporters at a press conference the body had been found beside a small stream about 2.5 kilometres from the resort, by volunteers who were helping the search team.
He said the remains had been winched by helicopter to a hospital mortuary, where her family were due to identify her.
Nora’s mother made a heartfelt appeal yesterday to find her as a €10,000 reward – donated by an anonymous Belfast business – was offered for information leading to her safe return.
Following news that a body had been discovered, Tánaiste Simon Coveney described it as a “harrowing” time.
He tweeted: “Irish + French embassies in Malaysia working together to provide every assistance to the Quoirin family. Irish embassy is in touch with Malaysian authorities on today’s discovery of a body. At this harrowing time all of our thoughts + prayers are with the family.”
Irish + French embassies in Malaysia working together to provide every assistance to the Quoirin family. Irish embassy is in touch with Malaysian authorities on today’s discovery of a body. At this harrowing time all of our thoughts + prayers are with the family.
— Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) August 13, 2019
Volunteer hikers and even reportedly a shaman were among those taking part in the search for Nora, who was born with the brain defect holoprosencephaly.
The Quoirins had said Nora’s condition meant she was not independent and had difficulty walking.
Appearing in front of the cameras yesterday, a visibly emotional Mrs Quoirin said: “Nora is our first child.
“She has been vulnerable since the day she was born.
“She is so precious to us and our hearts are breaking.”
On Monday morning, a total of 348 personnel were deployed in the search operation, according to Malaysia’s Malay Mail newspaper.
Previously, search crews looking for Nora played her mother’s voice in the dense Malaysian forest near where she disappeared.
Mrs Quoirin could be heard saying “Nora, darling, Nora, I love you, Mum is here,” on the recording.
After Nora went missing, her family described how she was particularly vulnerable.
They said: “Nora is a very special person. She is fun, funny, and extremely loving. With her family, she is very affectionate – family is her whole world.
“She is not like other teenagers. She is not independent and does not go anywhere alone.”
The National Crime Agency (NCA), the Metropolitan Police and Irish police were supporting the Malaysian police with the case.
The Lucie Blackman Trust provides support to families with a loved one in crisis abroad.
Police ‘very certain’ body found in Malaysia is missing teenager Nora Quoirin
A body found in Malaysia is believed to be that of 15-year-old Nora Quoirin, who went missing while on holiday with her family.
Nora, who has special needs, disappeared from the jungle resort of Dusun on Sunday, August 4.
Local police said that while they await formal identification of the body, which was discovered today and winched by helicopter to a hospital, they are “very certain” it is the teenager.
UPDATE: police have airlifted the body to hospital for identification by the Quoirin family. No firm confirmation yet but Police believe it is Nora.
— LBT Global (@LBT_Global) August 13, 2019
Please continue to respect the privacy of family and friends at this time and direct all enquiries to matt@lbtrust.org
National deputy police chief Mazlan Mansor told reporters at a press conference that a body which “resembles Nora” had been found beside a small stream about 2.5 kilometres (1.6 miles) from the resort.
He said the body “was not in any clothings”.
He told reporters investigators had “reasonable belief that it must be her” and when questioned further added that, while they await formal identification, they are “very certain” it is her.
He said Nora’s family had been informed of the news and were going to the mortuary at the hospital to identify the body.
He added that while it remains a missing persons case police are looking into all possibilities including the “angle of criminal investigation”.
Malaysian publication The Star reported that DCP Mohamad Mat said the search and rescue team received a call from a member of the public at around 1pm, and a team was sent to the area near a waterfall.
The newspaper said human remains had been found near Gunung Berembun in the Pantai Hills.
Earlier: Body found in search for Nora Quoirin removed to hospital for identification
A body found in Malaysia is “likely” to be that of missing 15-year-old Nora Quoirin, the Lucie Blackman Trust said.
An official told reporters at a press conference in Malaysia that a body had been found which “resembles Nora”.
He said: “The body was winched by helicopter to the hospital.”
He said Nora’s family had been informed of the news and were going to the mortuary at the hospital to identify the body.
He added that further updates will be given by police later.
Body found in search for missing Irish teen 'likely' to be that of Nora Quoirin
A body found in Malaysia is “likely” to be that of missing 15-year-old Nora Quoirin, the Lucie Blackman Trust said.
The teenager disappeared from the Malaysian jungle resort of Dusun on Sunday, August 4.
The trust, which is handling media for the Quoirin family, confirmed a body had been found in the search for the teenager.
“At this time we cannot confirm it is Nora. However, it sadly seems likely. Investigations are underway to confirm identity and cause of death,” the charity said.
The Irish Embassy is in touch with Malaysian Authorities after this morning's discovery, according to the Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Irish + French embassies in Malaysia working together to provide every assistance to the Quoirin family. Irish embassy is in touch with Malaysian authorities on today’s discovery of a body. At this harrowing time all of our thoughts + prayers are with the family.
— Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) August 13, 2019
DCP Mohamad Mat said the search and rescue team received a call from a member of the public at around 1pm, and a team was sent to the area near a waterfall, according to Malaysian publication The Star.
The newspaper said human remains had been found near Gunung Berembun in the Pantai Hills, 1.2 miles (2km) from the resort.
Negeri Sembilan state police chief Mohamad Mat Yusop said officials are in the process of determining whether the body, which was found on Tuesday, is the 15-year-old.
A BBC journalist reported that the body was found 2km (just over a mile) away from the Dusun resort, has white skin and is female.
Police leading the investigation have refused to rule out a “criminal element” in the teenager’s disappearance.
Clarification sought after reports of body found in search for Nora Quoirin
A body has been found in the hunt for missing 15-year-old Nora Quoirin, it has been reported.
The Irish teenager disappeared from the Malaysian jungle resort of Dusun on Sunday, August 4.
A spokesman for the Lucie Blackman Trust which is handling media enquiries for Nora’s family said he is aware of the reports and is urgently seeking clarification.
We are aware of reports that a body has been found in the search for Nora Quoirin. We are urgently seeking clarification.
— LBT Global (@LBT_Global) August 13, 2019
Nora’s mother made a heartfelt appeal on Monday to find her as a €10,000 reward was offered for information leading to her safe return.
Her parents, Meabh and Sebastien Quoirin, a French-Irish couple who have lived in London for 20 years, thanked those looking for her as fundraising pages set up by the teenager’s aunt and uncle collected more than £100,000 from well-wishers.
A car with the family of Nóra Quoirin has just passed through this site pic.twitter.com/GdWeX7ICqv
— Jackie Fox (@jackiefox_) August 13, 2019
Voluntary hikers and even reportedly a shaman are among those to have joined the search for Nora, who was born with the brain defect holoprosencephaly and has special needs.
Appearing before cameras on Monday, a visibly emotional Ms Quoirin said: “Nora is our first child.
“She has been vulnerable since the day she was born.
“She is so precious to us and our hearts are breaking. We are appealing to anyone who has information about Nora to help us find her.”
Police leading the investigation have refused to rule out a “criminal element” in the teenager’s disappearance.
