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Police name girl, seven, who died in York – as tributes paid to ‘kind, thoughtful’ child

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Katie at school

Police have named the seven-year-old girl who died in York on Monday as Katie Rough.

The investigation into Katie’s death is ongoing.

The 15 year old girl arrested in connection with the incident remains in police custody.

A police spokesman said:

Katie’s family are devastated by this tragic event and have asked for their privacy to be respected at this extremely distressing time.

Did you see anything?

Police are appealing for witnesses who were in the area of Morrell Court, Bellhouse Way, Osprey Close and Alness Drive between 3pm and 5pm on Monday (January 9), and may have seen two girls, one aged 15-years-old and the other 7-years-old, to get in touch.

This aerial view of Alness Drive shows where Katie’s body was found. Photograph © Bing Maps

north-yorkshire-police-logo-25How to help the police

Call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 1 speak to the Force Control Room and ask to be put through to the Cleveland & North Yorkshire Major Investigation Team
Quote reference number 12170004685

‘Terrible loss’

Katie was a pupil of Westfield Primary School. Her head teacher Tracey Ralph said:

Katie was a kind and thoughtful child who was well-liked by both pupils and staff. She was hardworking and showed a particular talent for creative writing.

Her death is a terrible loss which has deeply saddened our school community and we send our profound sympathies to her family.

All members of our school are being offered emotional support at this distressing time.

The scene in Alness Drive, Woodthorpe, on Monday morning

Jon Stonehouse, director of children, education and communities at City of York Council, said: “This tragic incident has shocked the city and the council on whose behalf I offer our profound condolences to Katie’s family at this extremely difficult and sad time.

“Her death has hit all who knew her very hard and we are providing specialist support to the school, as well as offering support to the school and the wider community.”

He added:

Our neighbour enforcement officers are also giving additional support to the police and are offering reassurance locally in this, one of the UK’s safer cities.