DETECTIVES have launched a probe after a dad killed his young daughter before taking his own life.
The bodies of Mark Gordon, 36, and Hope, six, were found on Monday inside a family home in West Calder.
The double death tragedy is now being treated as a murder-suicide as cops remain on the scene.
The tragic schoolgirl was yesterday described by her teachers as “bright, bubbly and affectionate”.
Detectives investigating the death revealed that officers had previous “contact” with the family.
Staff at Toronto Primary in Livingston raised the alarm after the child, who split her time between both parents, failed to show up to class on Monday morning.
A worried relative went to chef Mark’s home in West Calder, West Lothian, but did not get an answer.
They contacted police, who made the horrific discovery after fire crews forced entry at around 4pm.
Fiona Linfoot, headteacher at Hope’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. Postmortems are still to take place.
Chief Superintendent Gregg Banks told how there had been an “element of shared custody” for Hope, who had 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 is nothing connected to this incident that causes any concern.”
When pressed to explain further, Ch Supt Banks said: “Family would come into contact with the police for a variety of reasons, and to other agencies. So we know who the individuals are that come into contact.”
'BE KIND' LAST VIDEO
BY JORDAN TENNANT
A DAD who was found dead with his young daughter urged followers to ‘be kind’ days before he passed away.
Mark Gordon, 36, and Hope, six, were found inside a family home in West Calder.
Cops swooped on a house in the former mining community in West Lothian at 4pm on Monday after a “report of concern for a person inside”.
And days before the double death tragedy Mark shared a post with his Facebook followers.
He said: “A lot of you out there might be wondering ‘hey Mark, why are you outside in this blizzard?’
“Well, I’m off to the gym and you should too, you fat slob.“Be kind, god bless.”
The tragic dad appeared to be in good spirits as he braved the snow in a pink hooded jumper.
Watch video HERE
He added that the investigation was still at a “relatively early stage”.
He said: “ -mortems have not been conducted Sympathy yet. I hope folk won’t throw wild speculation out there. That really does not support the family. Let’s work on the facts.”
An area around the house was still cordoned off last night with officers standing guard. A police tent was at the back door, while stunned locals left flowers nearby.
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 Facebook post 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.”
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