Police Charge 35-Year-Old Man Over 9-Year-Old Minnie's Death in Arbroath

Q: What dark secret turned a family's unusual industrial estate camping trip into a fatal nightmare for a young girl?

The “dark secret” has not been established publicly. What is known is that Minnie Merriman, 9, was found seriously injured while her family was camping at Elliot Industrial Estate in Arbroath, and police are treating her death as suspicious. Police Scotland say a 35-year-old man known to Minnie has been arrested and charged in connection with her death. Later reporting indicates the man is her father, but that allegation will be tested in court and the full circumstances have not been released by investigators. Police have also said they are not seeking anyone else. The unusual setting deepened the mystery. Witnesses described a small pop-up tent, camping chairs and a family camp set up on a grassy verge in an industrial estate, even though a nearby beach was only minutes away and would have been a more typical place to stay. Family members were camping nearby when the incident happened, and several people were taken to hospital, though Minnie was the only fatality. So, based on the evidence available, the fatal nightmare appears to have stemmed not from the industrial estate itself but from a suspected violent incident involving someone the girl knew during that camping trip. Beyond that, any claim about a hidden motive or “secret” would be speculation until police disclose more or court proceedings establish the facts.

3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Aug 5

Nine-year-old Minnie Merriman, from West Yorkshire, died at Dundee's Ninewells Hospital on Sunday after she was found seriously injured shortly after midnight at Arbroath's Elliot Industrial Estate.
A 35-year-old man known to the girl has been charged in connection with her death and is due to appear at Forfar Sheriff Court.
Police Scotland said they are not seeking anyone else over the case, while specialist officers support Minnie's family and other relatives who had been camping in the area.
Minnie's family said they were "devastated" by the loss of their "absolutely incredible, beautiful and brave Minnie Moo" as police keep a presence at the scene and continue inquiries.