Tributes have poured in for a 'bubbly and affectionate' six-year-old schoolgirl who was found dead in her home with her father.
Mark Gordon, 36, and his daughter Hope, six, were discovered at the house in West Lothian, Scotland, on Monday.
Concerns arose after the little girl didn't come to school. Police rushed to the house in Harburn Drive, West Calder, at around 4pm.
Firefighters then helped officers gain access to the home, where two bodies were found inside.
Police Scotland has now said the deaths are being treated as unexplained and a post-mortem examination will take place in due course.
Hope's school said she will be “dearly missed” and called her a “smart, bubbly and affectionate girl who brought joy to everyone she met.”
Toronto Primary School Principal Fiona Linfoot said: “Hope was a beloved member of the Toronto Primary family and will be deeply missed by all her friends and school staff.
“She was a smart, cheerful and affectionate girl who brought joy to everyone she met. We will greatly miss her infectious smile and kind heart.
Six-year-old schoolgirl Hope was named 'cheeky and affectionate' by her school in tribute
Mark Gordon, 36, and his daughter Hope, six, were found dead in a house in West Lothian, Scotland
'We would ask everyone to respect the privacy of her family and the school community at this difficult time.
'Help and support is available for any of our students or staff affected by this tragic news.'
Leader of West Lothian Council Lawrence Fitzpatrick added: 'Understandably the local community will be in shock and this shock extends across West Lothian.
“Our deepest condolences go out to the families of those affected by this tragic incident.
'Our education officers and school staff are providing the local school community with appropriate support and reassurance at this very difficult time.'
A spokesperson for the Health and Social Care Partnership said: “We would like to express our deepest condolences to the family. We cannot discuss any individual or individual family circumstances.
“It would also not be appropriate to comment further while there is an active police investigation.”
Sky News reported that police had previously contacted the family 'at various points', but officers said there was nothing 'connected to this incident that is of any concern'.
The little girl – over whom the parents shared custody – had been staying with her father for 'some time'.
The force added that there is currently nothing to suggest anyone else was involved in their deaths.
They said a team of officers from Police Scotland's Major Investigation Team and the local unit are involved in the investigation.
Firefighters helped officers gain access to the house after the alarm was raised at around 4pm and found the bodies of Mark Gordon (pictured) and six-year-old Hope.
A police cordon at the scene on Harburn Drive, West Calder in West Lothian, Scotland, following the deaths of a 36-year-old man and a six-year-old girl
There will remain a significant police presence in the area during the investigation, including uniformed and plainclothes officers.
Chief Inspector Bob Williamson of the Major Investigation Team said: 'Our thoughts remain with the relatives of the man and the girl at this extremely difficult time and they continue to be supported by specialist officers.
“They are understandably devastated and it is vital that we get answers for them.
'At this time we have no information to suggest anyone else is involved and our investigations continue.
“I would ask that anyone who has information, no matter how small or insignificant you believe it is, to contact officers.”
Chief Inspector Elaine McArthur-Kerr, local area commander, said: “We understand the significant impact this will have on the local community and I would like to thank everyone for their help so far.
“This incident is deeply disturbing and concerning for the people living in this community and I would ask anyone with concerns to speak to us.
'A police presence will remain in the area as we investigate and anyone with concerns or information can contact these officers.'
Police said the deaths are being treated as unexplained and a post-mortem examination will take place in due course
Officers found the bodies of Mark and Hope at an address in West Calder, Scotland, at around 4pm on Monday
Shortly before emergency services were called to the house, we saw people knocking on the door, but there was no response
The tragedy occurred just days after neighbors said they saw the girl playing in the yard. Shortly before the emergency services were alerted, we saw people knocking on the door, but there was no response.
Isabel Girdwood, 91, said: 'On Monday two girls came to his door and they knocked on the door and got no answer. They walked to the parking lot and there was a woman in the car.”
The retired lollipop lady said the couple, who were in their 20s, did not seem concerned.
She said she didn't see much activity in the building and only knew someone was inside when the “bathroom light was on.”
Mrs Girdwood said: 'He never socialized with anyone, he never went near anyone and it seemed like he never had visitors.'
A neighbor, who did not want to be identified, told how she saw a girl playing outside at the weekend.
The neighbor said: 'She was at the front of the house on Saturday, she was seen. It was rare that I saw anyone. I actually thought the house was empty and no one was there anymore.'
Neighbors said the man had not lived in the area long.
Councilor Craig Meek said the community would be 'shocked to the core' after the incident (Photo: Police on scene)
The force said a team of officers from Police Scotland's Major Investigation Team and the local unit are involved in the investigation
One said: 'I didn't think he was there, I haven't seen him for a long time. I thought the building had been vacant, but that was clearly not the case.'
The residents of the area are shocked. A resident of the estate said: 'It's disturbing but no one really knows what happened yet.
“There is a lot of speculation and we have seen what has been on the news, but all we know is that a small child and a man have been found. It's tragic.'
On Monday, detectives were seen conducting house-to-house inquiries in the area. Some people leaving their homes to go to work spoke of their surprise at the size of the police cordon.
One resident said: 'It's scary. You don't know what happened. I got the shock of my life when I got out. That's the first I knew about it.
“It's very confusing because you don't know what happened.”
Councilor Craig Meek yesterday said the community would be 'shocked to its core'.
He said: 'It is important at a time like this that the community is given time to understand what has happened and also come together to support each other.'
Local MP Gregor Poynton said he was 'sorry to hear about the tragic deaths' and added that Police Scotland would have an 'increased presence' in the area.
The house the pair were found in was close to a primary school, but yesterday a West Lothian Council spokesperson said: 'Apart from the proximity of the reported incident, we have reassured parents and pupils that this incident is not linked to Parkhead Primary. School.'
