A 24-year-old musician has today admitted the murder of teenager Bobbi-Anne McLeod whose body was discovered three days after she vanished from her home.
Eighteen-year-old Bobbi-Anne, from Plymouth, disappeared after leaving to catch a bus close to her home on November 20 last year, Plymouth Live reports.
Her body was discovered in woodland close to the beach in Bovisand, Devon, three days later.
Cody Ackland, 24, entered a guilty plea in a brief hearing at Plymouth Crown Court this morning.
Members of Bobbi-Anne's family were on hand in court to see the killer admit to murder. He was told he faces a life sentence when he returns to court on May 19.
Hundreds joined in a huge search for the missing teen before the tragedy was confirmed by Devon and Cornwall Police.
Bobbi-Anne's last sighting
Bobbi-Anne was due to meet friends on the evening of Saturday November 20.
She left her home at around 6.30pm and was last seen waiting at a bus stop nearby.
The alarm was raised after she failed to meet her friends as scheduled, and her family believe she never got on the bus as her ticket was not used.
Bobbi-Anne's headphones and a bag of tobacco were found at the bus stop, and her mobile phone was later handed in to police.
Murder probe as body found in woods
A large search was launched following Bobbi-Anne's disappearance, with anxious volunteers scouring the surrounding area in the hope of finding her safe and well.
Tragically a body was found in woodland close to the beach in Bovisand, Devon, three days after she vanished.
A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said: "Detectives investigating the disappearance of 18-year-old Bobbi-Anne McLeod have launched a murder investigation.
"Bobbi-Anne was reported missing to police on Saturday 20 November after she failed to meet with friends in Plymouth.
"Police officers and staff have been engaged in enquiries with members of the public and completing searches since concerns for Bobbi-Anne were first reported.
"Sadly, earlier today the body of a woman was located near Bovisand, South Hams during searches by police officers. These searches were carried out following information received by police.
"Formal identification has yet to be carried out but the family of Bobbi-Anne McLeod have been informed of this development and are being supported by investigators."
Musician and another man arrested
Police initially arrested two suspects, aged 24 and 26.
However the older man was later released "with no further action being taken in relation to this matter".
Ackland was the lead guitarist in Plymouth-based indie band Rakuda.
Following his arrest the band announced they were taking a "hiatus".
Assistant chief constable Nikki Leaper said in a statement: “I can confirm that at this time there is no known link between the suspect and victim and I would like to reassure the public that at this time, we are not seeking anyone else in relation to this matter.
“A significant number of inquiries and searches have been carried out overnight and into today in relation to the ongoing murder investigation in Plymouth. These inquiries remain ongoing across a number of scenes in and around the city.
“Earlier today, a 26-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder, was released from police custody having been eliminated from the inquiry. A 24-year-old man remains in police custody at this time on suspicion of murder under a warrant of further detention. This warrant enables police to extend the time in which a person can be detained within police custody whilst an investigation is ongoing.”
Ackland appeared in court for the first time on November 26, and was remanded in custody.
No cause of death revealed as inquest opens
An inquest into Bobbi-Anne's death was formally opened in December.
Senior coroner for Plymouth, Torbay and South Devon, adjourned the inquest pending the outcome of criminal proceedings with no cause of death confirmed.
Detective Inspector Stephanie Blundell, the senior investigating officer, told the hearing: "I can report as part of the inquiries into the death of Bobbi-Anne McLeod a formal identification process was completed.
"Bobbi-Anne was found deceased in a wooded area off a lane between Fort Staddon and Bovisand, South Hams in Devon on November 23 2021.
"At the time Bobbi-Anne was single and a student by occupation.
"The circumstances of this death are that Bobbi-Anne had been reported missing by her family on the evening of Saturday November 20 and on Tuesday November 23 information was passed to the police which led to the discovery of a young female which matched the description of Bobbi-Anne."
Ackland pleads guilty to murder
Tearful members of the victim's family watched as the killer, entered a guilty plea in a brief hearing at Plymouth Crown Court this morning.
Eighteen-year-old Bobbi-Anne, from Plymouth, disappeared after leaving to catch a bus close to her home on November 20 last year, Plymouth Live reports.
Her body was discovered in woodland in Bovisand, Devon, three days later.
Ackland was arrested and has been remanded in custody since his first court appearance on November 26.
He will be sentenced on May 19, when a judge will hand him a life sentence and confirm the minimum term he will serve.
He was told by Judge Robert Linford: "You have pleaded guilty to murder and the sentence is fixed by law.
"The sentence is imprisonment for life and the only issue will be the mimimum term I will impose."
