🚨 YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN MY STRENGTH… — MINNIE MERRIMAN’S MOTHER SHARES ANOTHER HEARTBREAKING TRIBUTE TO HER 9-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER… WHILE HER FATHER HAS APPEARED IN COURT AND MADE A MOVE THAT HAS LEFT EVERYONE STUNNED
ARBROATH football fans held a tribute to schoolgirl Minnie Merriman – who allegedly was murdered in the town last week.
Minnie, 9, died at Dundee’s Ninewells Hospital after being found seriously injured in the town’s Elliot Industrial Estate shortly after midnight on Monday.
Minnie Merriman allegedly was murdered in Arbroath on MondayCredit: PA
Arbroath FC held a minute’s silence for Minnie ahead of their game against Inverness Caley Thistle on SaturdayCredit: Michael Schofield
Her death has sent shockwaves through the town and sparked an outpouring of grief.
Scores of tributes were left at the scene where the family – from West Yorkshire – had been camping.
Flowers, children’s toys and messages of condolence were left at a police cordon.
Arbroath FC held their own tribute to Minnie ahead of their match against Inverness Caley Thistle yesterday.
A minute’s silence was held before the game.
A message on the club’s social media page read: “We ask all fans to join us in observing a minute’s silence before kick off in memory of 9-year-old Minnie Merriman, following her recent passing and those affected by the recent events in Arbroath.”
Minnie’s relatives have since said they were touched by the gesture from the local community.
Her aunt Chloe Merriman said on social media: “We really appreciate this as a family.
“My sister is overwhelmed with the kindness and love from Arbroath.”
A minute’s silence was held before kick offCredit: Michael Schofield
Scores of floral tributes have been left at the sceneCredit: Andrew Barr
Minnie’s dad Christopher Rice, 35, has appeared in court charged with her murder.
He made no plea while in the dock at Forfar Sheriff Court and was remanded in custody.
We told how three other people – whose ages are not known – were taken to hospital on Monday.
Rice was taken to the same hospital separately but was later taken into custody before being charged.
The schoolgirl’s mum, Laurie Eve Merriman, left a heartbreaking tribute to her daughter at the scene.
Relatives left a plush strawberry, a Hello Kitty toy and a sketchbook among the tributes.
Scots NHS probe claims staff snooped on records of ‘murdered’ schoolgirl
BY LISA HODGE
NHS staff are being investigated for allegedly snooping on the medical records of ‘murdered’ schoolgirl Minnie Merriman.
Tayside health board is investigating claims that staff working at the hospital accessed the child’s medical records without permission or clinical need.
If proven, the alleged data breach could be escalated to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
A spokesperson for NHS Tayside said: “NHS Tayside is currently investigating the circumstances of an alleged data breach which happened in a working clinical area where staff access patient information.
“As a matter of governance, any data protection breach would be recorded and investigated by NHS Tayside and, where appropriate, reported to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
“It would not be appropriate for us to comment further on individual staffing matters.”
Minnie’s dad has appeared in courtCredit: Andrew Barr
A note from her mum read: “To my darling Minnie Moo.
“Wherever you are, we’re still connected eternally.
“I love you my girl.
“Mammy will carry your strength always.”
Minnie’s mum added another tribute to her daughter on social media, saying: “You have always and will continue being my strength, we are connected eternally, I have never felt a love so deep and a connection so strong.
“My first true love , my twin, I am connected to you in life and in death and my girl that cannot be broken.
“I will fight to stay strong for your little brothers, I will hold my head high knowing you will always be holding my hand for the rest of my life.
“I will see you again, that I know for sure. I love you eternally.”
Family’s lives ‘turned upside down’
A FUNDRAISER has been set up to support the Merriman family after Minnie’s death.
The gofundme page – set up by a family friend – said their lives had been “turned upside down overnight” by the tragedy.
The page reads: “Laurie has lost her precious girl, and her boys have lost their beautiful sister.
“Their whole world has been turned upside down overnight.
“Alongside the unimaginable heartbreak of losing Minnie, Laurie and the boys have also lost their home and everything they had.
“They have been left with nothing and are having to somehow find a way through each day while trying to rebuild some sort of stability.”
Minnie’s family previously released a statement through police.
They said: “We are devastated with the loss of our beloved, absolutely incredible, beautiful and brave Minnie Moo.
“Our family asks that our privacy is respected at this extremely difficult time.”
Detective Inspector Mike Ness of the Major Investigation Team said: “Our thoughts remain with everyone affected by these events, especially Minnie’s family.
“A police presence remained in the area while our enquiries continue.
“Anyone with any concerns, or information, should approach these officers or contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0008 of Monday, 3 August 2026.”
SOURCE: https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/16661639/teams-silence-tribute-minnie-merriman/
