A MAN suspected of murdering a Southampton schoolgirl had been “living in her home” prior to her death, according to a neighbour.

The resident, who asked not to be named, said the 24-year-old suspect had been kicked out by his mother and had moved into the Millbrook home of Lucy McHugh’s mum, Stacey White.

The information comes following the discovery of Lucy’s body in a woodland at the edge of the Sports Centre on Thursday.

The neighbour said: “He had been living in Lucy’s house.

“He’d told them he had been kicked out by his mum.

“Her mum had got him a job as a carer and he also did tattooing in a room he has set up in their house.”

Redbridge Community School student Lucy, 13, was last seen at her home in Mansel Road East on Wednesday morning and was reported missing. She was found by a member of the public the following morning.

Yesterday police were searching the family home of the 24-year-old arrested on suspicion of murder and sexual activity with a child.

A local resident said the man was arrested at the house, also in Mansel Road East, on Thursday.

In a social media post, she said: “Please can I ask that people are not passing blame on to family members of the person that has been arrested in connection with my precious daughter Lucy White’s murder.

“Making threats of violence to them will not bring my angel back.”

Police have appealed for anyone who found a “sharp implement” in the area near the Sports Centre to get in touch.

A police spokesman said: “We cannot say at this stage whether this is a knife, scissors or other bladed implement.

“Even if someone has put an item in a bin, we will try to recover it.”

Detective Superintendent Paul Barton reiterated the force’s appeal for anyone with information about Lucy’s last movements to contact them.

The teenager was last seen wearing a distinctive black jacket with white sleeves, with the logo for the band Falling In Reverse on the front and RADKE 01 in red on the back.

She also wore camouflage leggings, a white vest top and black-and-white trainers.

Ds Barton said: “We know how shocked the community is and understand that emotions are running high.

“However we ask people not to speculate on social media – it is unhelpful to the investigation and to Lucy’s family.

“Please allow us to do our job and find out what happened to Lucy.”

Lucy’s mother, Stacey White, had previously called for calm following the arrest and said violent threats would “not bring my angel back”.

A GoFundMe page set up to raise £5,000 towards costs for Lucy’s funeral has so far received more than £6,000.