A GIRL of six was found dead alongside her father after teachers alerted relatives when she failed to turn up for school, detectives revealed.
The bodies of Hope Gordon and dad Mark, 36, were then discovered by cops sent to their home in West Calder, West Lothian.
Hope was described by her teachers as “bright, bubbly and affectionate”.
Tributes were paid to Hope Gordon, six, as cops probing the deaths of her and Mark, 36, revealed they’d had previous “contact” with the family.
Staff at Toronto Primary School, Livingston, had raised the alarm after the child, who split her time between parents, failed to show up in class on Monday morning.
A worried relative went to chef Mark’s home in West Calder, West Lothian, but couldn’t get an answer.
They contacted the police, who made the gruesome discovery after forcing entry at around 4pm.
Fiona Linfoot, headteacher at the girl’s school, said: “Hope was a much-loved member of the Toronto Primary family and will be hugely missed by all her friends and staff. She was a bright, bubbly and affectionate girl who brought joy to everyone she met.
“We will really miss her infectious smile and kind heart.”
Detectives remained on the scene last night but said there was “nothing to suggest” anyone else was involved in the tragedy.
Post-mortems are still to take place.
Chief Superintendent Gregg Banks told how there had been an “element of shared custody” for Hope but she’d been staying with her father for “a period of time”.
He said: “The shock and sadness felt across West Lothian is understandable. Words won’t take that anxiety and concern away.
“But I want to reassure people this is an isolated incident and there is no wider risk to members of the public at this time.
“We are working tirelessly to understand what happened within the property and answer questions from devastated family members.”
He added: “Police are aware of the family, we have engaged with them at various points. But there’s nothing connected to this incident that causes any concern.”
When pressed to explain further, CS Banks said: “Family would come into contact with the police for a whole variety of reasons, and other agencies. So we know who the individuals are that come into contact.”
He added that the investigation was still at a “relatively early stage”.
He said: “The post-mortems have not been conducted yet. I hope folk won’t throw wild speculation out there. That really does not support the family who are devastated at this time. Let us work on the facts.”
An area around the house was still cordoned off last night with officers standing guard.
A blue police tent was at the back door.
Detective Chief Inspector Bob Williamson, of the major investigation team, added: “At this time, we have no information to suggest anyone else is involved.”
Earlier this month, dad Mark shared a Facebookpost captioned: “What a day to be alive.”
In it, the dad urged people to “be kind”.
West Lothian Council leader Lawrence Fitzpatrick said: “The local community will be in shock. Our deepest sympathies are with the family of those affected by this tragic incident.”