Paige Doherty murder: I can’t believe someone could do that to such a petite wee lassie

The 15-year-old was reported missing on Saturday after she failed to arrive at work in Kirkintilloch.

The body of a 15-year-old girl was found in undergrowth on Monday near to a golf centre and five-a-side football complex off Great Western Road.

Detective Superintendent Duncan Sloan from Police Scotland's Major Investigations Team, above, confirmed yesterday that it was Paige Doherty.

He said: “We are treating this case as a murder investigation.”

A post-mortem was due to be carried out yesterday afternoon in a bid to discover the cause of death.

• Read: Uncle and grandad of murdered Paige Doherty saved twins from drowning

Paige's mum Pamela Munro, 32, thanked everyone for their support during a two-day hunt for the teenager.

She said: “Myself and Andy Munro would like to thank everyone for their support and help in trying to find our daughter.

“Unfortunately we can confirm that it is our beautiful girl Paige who was found in Clydebank.

“Again thank you for all your support I am seeing everyone’s messages but understandably we've a lot on our minds and can't reply.

“We are absolutely devastated as will many people who know her will be.”

Paige's stepfather Mr Munro, 33, added: “I would just like to again thank all my friends and others who have helped us in this terrible time. It means a lot to us.”

Paige’s cousin Louise Blair paid tribute on Facebook. She said: “I would like to say a goodbye to my little cousin Paige Doherty who was found dead yesterday. She'll be missed by loads of people. RIP angel.”

Police are now trying to build a picture of Paige’s final movements as the murder probe gets underway.

Detective Superintendent Sloan said: “A number of specialised officers are clearly supporting the family in the first instance, and to try and piece together Paige's lifestyle.

Detective Superintendent Sloan added: “Our thoughts are with Paige’s family and friends at this most distressing time and I personally offer my condolences for their tragic loss. Paige was a young, friendly girl with plenty of friends and for her life to be taken away so brutally at such a young age is unfathomable to everyone.”

Shocked friends and colleagues also paid tribute to the teenager on Faceboook last night.

A statement on the Street Image Hairdressing page said: “It is still unbelievable that I am writing these words, my team and I are absolutely shattered with the loss of our junior, Paige, a blessing to have in our lives.

“We cannot begin to imagine the pain Pamela and her family are feeling at this time. Thank you for all the kind words and messages we will pass them on.”

Laura Mason, Chief Education Officer at West Dunbartonshire Council, said: “Paige was a bright and popular pupil with a good sense of humour. Our thoughts are with Paige’s family and friends, and we are doing everything we can to support our young people at this sad time.”

Fundraising pages set up in Paige's memory have raised almost £10,000 in 12 hours.

Family friend Lynsay Smith set up one page on the GoFundMe site and wrote: "All the money raised is to help Pamela, her mum, and Andrew, her stepdad, with any funeral arrangements and anything else to ease the pain that they are going through at this time."

Donations hit £4,475 by 8.30am on Monday.

A second page set up by Gail Duncan smashed the target of £3,000 within hours, raising more than £5,400.

She said the money would go to Paige's family to "spend how they see fit in honour to remember Paige".

The online community became a focal point for hundreds of locals involved in the search.

A post said: “I will be setting up a Just Giving page soon to help Pamela Munro and Andrew and the rest of the family towards the funeral cost.

“If anyone can dig deep, no matter how small the donation is, every little helps at a time like this.

“Let's give the angel the send-off she really truly deserves. As people can understand this was sudden and horrible so anything to help ease the pain the family are going through.”

Clydebank MP Martin Docherty-Hughes, above, said he was 'saddened' by the news, and passed his condolences on to her family and friends. 

The SNP politician also urged members of the community to do anything they can to help police investigate the murder. 

He said: “I was deeply saddened to hear that police have confirmed the death of Paige Doherty. That Paige was just 15 years old only intensifies the sorrow felt by the whole community. My thoughts are with Paige’s family and friends.

"The police have confirmed that a murder investigation has been launched by Police Scotland's Major Investigation Team and specialist officers are providing support to Paige's family at this difficult time.

"I ask the press and public respect the privacy of Paige's family and friends and give them the space they need to grieve.”

Forensics officers have been conducting enquiries at the site where the teenager’s body was found and police are in the process of gathering CCTV footage.

Detective Superintendent Sloan said:“Any information, however small, may help this investigation. I would urge anyone with information to contact the police as soon as possible. It is imperative that we find who is responsible for Paige’s murder.”

A dedicated incident room has been set up at Helen Street Police Office which can be contacted by calling 0141 532 5443 or 0141 532 5415. Alternatively, information can be emailed to OperationTalverton@scotland.pnn.police.uk.

Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously by calling 0800 555 111.