Academic held after girl, 15, dies at London party
Police have arrested a university academic after 15-year-old Isobel Reilly died at a party in west London over the weekend. Her death is being treated as “unexplained”.
A university academic has been arrested after a girl died within hours of falling ill at a party in west London.
Friends are gathering to lay flowers at an impromptu memorial for Isobel Reilly on Chiswick Common, in west London.
Ms Reilly, aged 15, was taken to hospital on Saturday morning after she became unwell at a house in Barlby Road, north Kensington.
Her death is being treated as “unexplained”, but police are examining whether she died after taking drugs. A Metropolitan Police spokesman said this was “a line of inquiry”.
Police say a 60-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of drugs and child abandonment. He was subsequently released on bail.
He is understood to be Brian Dodgeon, a research fellow at the University of London’s Institute of Education. He is thought not to have been present at the party.
We would ask anyone who was present at any point during the evening to make contact with officers. Det Sgt Neil Philpott
A 14-year-old girl, believed to be Mr Dodgeon’s daughter, and two boys, both aged 14, were also taken to hospital as a precaution and remain in hospital under observation.
One neighbour said he had heard police in the early hours of Saturday morning. He had seen several ambulances and police cars.
He told Channel 4 News he had seen a body being brought out, which emergency services had tried to resuscitate before driving off.
Detective Sergeant Neil Philpott said: “We believe the victim was taken ill during a party at the address in Barlby Road.
“We are yet to make contact with all those who attended, and would ask anyone who was present at any point during the evening to make contact with officers.”
One neighbour told Channel 4 News he had seen a body being brought out, which emergency services had tried to resuscitate.
A statement from Ms Reilly’s family, released through police, said: “Isobel’s family and friends are devastated and heartbroken by her untimely death.
“We hope that if anything positive comes from this dreadful event, it is that others will make the right decisions to be safe and well in the future.
“We would very much appreciate time to grieve for our beloved Issy in private. If anyone has any information concerning Issy’s death, could they please contact the police.”
