Mother in court accused of killing four-year-old daughter

P&J: By Laura Paterson
Published: 25/02/2011

A mother appeared in court yesterday accused of murdering her young daughter.

Rachael Cowley was arrested on Wednesday after the body of four-year-old Isabelle Cowley was found in a burn in the grounds of Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.

The 42-year-old, who is believed to have worked as a circus performer and yoga teacher in the past, had her head covered by a blanket as she arrived at Inverness Sheriff Court accompanied by Reliance security officers.

She appeared briefly in private before Sheriff Margaret Neilson represented by Inverness solicitor Neil Wilson.

A statement from the Crown Office said Cowley had been charged with murder and attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

Cowley, who is understood to be from Essex originally, made no plea and was committed for further examination.

She was remanded in custody and is expected to appear in court again next week.

Isabelle’s body was found in a burn at the rear of the Raigmore building, near the hospital laundry, at 3am on Wednesday following an extensive police search for the mother and daughter.

A member of the public had reported them missing at 10pm on Tuesday.

Cowley, who lived with her family in the small community of Shenval, between Drumnadrochit and Cannich in Inverness-shire, was found after a five-hour police search and her daughter’s body was discovered shortly afterwards.

Police investigations at Raigmore Hospital continued yesterday and the scene remained cordoned off to the public.

Officers could be seen using surveying equipment near the burn, where the young girl’s body was found, to map the area.

A number of tributes were left at the scene yesterday, including flowers and a small teddy bear.

No one was answering the door at Cowley’s home, a two-storey, semi-detached house in a row of 10 forestry and former forestry properties set in woodland.

A dog could be heard barking inside and children’s play equipment was lying in the garden.

Neighbours were reluctant to speak about Isabelle’s death. One woman said: “It is too distressing.”

Another resident said police had interviewed neighbours on Wednesday night.

He said: “A couple with a girl and a boy moved in about two years ago. I knew them to see and say hello to, but they kept themselves to themselves.”

Late in the afternoon, a Scottish SPCA inspector arrived at the address to check on the dog after receiving a report that it had been abandoned for two days.

The inspector left after contacting Northern Constabulary and being told the force’s officers were caring for the German shepherd cross.

Read more: http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/2152546#ixzz1ExoY4o2Y

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