Teenager found dead in woodland

7:24am Thursday 8th May 2008

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EMOTIONAL tributes have been paid to an 18-year-old former Barry school pupil who was found hanged in woodland on the weekend.

Gemma Louise Shallis, who lived with her grandmother in Dinas Powys, was a former Ysgol Bro Morgannwg student.

Her body was found by a man walking his dogs in woods off Pen-y-Turnpike Road, in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Police are not treating her death as suspicious.

Gemma had lived on and off' with her parents in Penarth, but had been staying with her grandmother, Olga Shallis, at the time of her death.

Gemma's parents Frank and Diane were too upset to comment, but her grandmother said: "It's been such a shock.

"Gemma was such a lovely, pretty girl who was very popular and loved her family.

"She was very outgoing and confident, but she did have some health problems."

Following Gemma's death, an online memorial was set up where dozens of tributes and condolences have been paid to the 18-year-old.

One friend says: "Gemma, you were always such a happy girl and no matter what, you were always smiling.

"We will all miss you dearly."

A family friend adds: "Always be remembered as a smiley, happy girl. All the family are absolutely devastated. You will be greatly missed. Goodnight sweet."

South Wales Police have been reviewing the number of suicides among young people, following 18 suspected suicides of people aged under 26 in the Bridgend County area over the past year - including one on the weekend.

It has been claimed that internet social networking websites have 'romanticised suicide', but police stress there is no evidence of a 'suicide pact', nor anything to suggest the deaths in Bridgend were linked.

Leave a tribute to Gemma below or at gemmalou-shallis.gonetoosoon.co.uk