8:11am Thursday 8th May 2008
By Phil Tibballs
EMOTIONAL tributes have been paid to an 18-year-old from Penarth who was found hanged in Dinas Powys woodland on the weekend.
Gemma Louise Shallis, who lived with her grandmother in Millbrook Close, Dinas Powys, was found not far from her home in woods at the end of Cwm Drive, off Pen-y-Turnpike Road, in the early hours of Saturday morning.
It is believed her body was found by a man walking his dog.
Police are not treating her death as suspicious.
The former Ysgol Pen-y-Garth and Ysgol Gyfun Bro Morgannwg pupil had lived on and off' with her parents in Penarth, but had been staying with her grandmother, Olga Shallis, at the time of her death.
Gemma's parents Frank and Diane were too upset to speak to the Penarth Times but her grandmother said: "It's been such a shock.
"Gemma was such a lovely, pretty girl who was very popular and loved her family.
"She was very outgoing and confident, but she did have some health problems."
Following Gemma's death, an online memorial was set up where dozens of tributes and condolences have been paid to the 18-year-old.
One friend says: "Gemma, you were always such a happy girl and no matter what, you were always smiling.
"We will all miss you dearly."
A family friend adds: "Always be remembered as a smiley, happy girl. All the family are absolutely devastated. You will be greatly missed. Goodnight sweet."
A keen athlete, Gemma featured in the Penarth Times in July 2002 after winning gold in a national competition.
The then 12-year-old secured first place in the 4x100m relay at the Welsh Schools Athletics Competition - in an under-15 age group race.
The former Ysgol Pen-y-Garth pupil, who ran for the Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan Athletics Association at the event, said at the time: "I'm really pleased. I love running and I definitely want to keep doing it in the future.
"I'd love to go to the Olympics."
South Wales Police have been reviewing the number of suicides among young people, following 17 suspected suicides of people aged under 26 in the Bridgend County area over the past year.
It has been claimed that internet social networking websites have 'romanticised suicide', but police stress there is no evidence of a 'suicide pact', nor anything to suggest the deaths in Bridgend were linked.
*You can leave a tribute to Gemma here on our website or at gemmalou-shallis.gonetoosoon.co.uk ******* ADVICE NUMBERS: Samaritans 08457 909090 Childline 0800 1111 Papyrus, specialists in preventing young suicide 01978 367333
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