A MISSING 14-year-old girl was found dead in a wooded area of Banbury yesterday.

Molly O’Donovan was last seen at her Banbury home at 9am on Monday and was reported missing to police at 2pm.

Her body was found in a wooded area near Foscote Rise near the Horton Hospital at 11.40am yesterday.

Tributes were last night paid to the youngster.

A Thames Valley Police statement said: “The death is not believed to be suspicious at this stage and enquiries remain ongoing.”

Police said she was last seen wearing a dark grey Super Dry hooded top with orange writing, black leggings and brown UGG boots.

They said it was “out of character” for Molly to be away from home and out of contact with her family.

Youngsters took posters around the town in a bid to find their friend.

By 4pm yesterday, more than 12,000 people had joined a Find Molly O’Donovan group on social networking website Facebook.

It said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the body of Molly has been found.

“Our thoughts are with her family at this awful time.

“Peace and love to all who knew her and all who have been touched by the loss of such a young life.”

Tributes left on the site included Jade Megan Brooker, who wrote: “Molly; I’ve not known you for long; but your (sic) one heck of a girl.”

She said: “Yo always made me smile and was a great laugh when I was down!

“Thoughts are with your family; i would just like to say thanks for everything.”

Lucy Crouch wrote: “So sad to hear this news. been thinking about molly all day today and even went to st louis park. my heart goes out to her family and friends at this very sad time.

“i remember chatting to you in the park. such a sweet girl.”

Jacob Witton said: “RIP MOLLY I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER THE GOOD TIMES.”

Deanne Wright, who put posters in her Sew Sublime shop in Bridge Street, said: “We wanted to help as much as we could.

“I am a mum, I can only imagine what her mother and father are going through.”

Visit Molly's tribute page on Facebook here