Shafilea appeal brings a number of new lines of investigation

Cheshire Police say a post-mortem examination has proved inconclusive after the 17-year-old's body was found in a river in Cumbria last week.

However, detectives say a number of "positive leads" are being pursued following a media appeal this week.

At that appeal Shafilea's mother and father released a statement strenously denying any involvement in their daughter's death.

Good response

A Cheshire police spokesman said on Thursday: "We have had a good response following Tuesday's press conference and there are a number of positive leads which we are following up."

Detectives believe the teenager's body had been deliberately hidden at the scene in Sedgwick, Cumbria since the day she went missing in September.

DNA tests were used to confirm her identity but tests failed to establish a cause of death.

The spokesman said: "It is possible we may never establish how she died."

Detective Chief Inspector Geraint Jones leading the hunt for her killer has stressed that he is "keeping an open mind" and "exploring all avenues".

'Untimely demise'

Her parents Ifitkar, 44, and Farzana, 41, through their solicitor, have consistently denied any part in their daughter's death.

At Tuesday's police appeal in Warrington, their solicitor issued a statement saying: "Mr and Mrs Ahmed wish to confirm once more that they strenuously deny any direct or indirect involvement in their daughter's untimely demise."

Shafilea disappeared after a holiday in Pakistan during which she met a potential marriage partner.

She was later treated in hospital after drinking a caustic substance.

Her body was discovered on the banks of the River Kent at the beginning of February.