Police are making appeals at major sporting events this weekend for help with the investigation into the death of a schoolgirl.
Lucy McHugh, 13, was found stabbed to death in woodland near Southampton Sports Centre at 7.45am on July 26 and officers continue to hunt for the weapon used to kill her.
They hope cricket fans heading to watch Hampshire play Kent in the T20 Blast competition tonight at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton will help in their investigations.
Officers will then appeal to football fans tomorrow afternoon as Southampton Football Club supporters arrive for their clubs final pre-season friendly against German team Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Hampshire Constabulary Detective Superintendent Paul Barton said the force is hoping to jog peoples memories by handing out leaflets to supporters and displaying a message on big screens at both grounds.
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Lucys body was discovered after she went missing from her home 24 hours earlier and detectives believe the blade used may have been a pair of scissors or a knife.
DS Barton said: We have already been contacted by over 100 members of the public with information.
Were really grateful for this support and this extends to Southampton FC and Hampshire Cricket for their help this weekend.
We hope our appeal at these sporting events will jog peoples memories further.
Were looking for sightings of Lucy between 9am on Wednesday July 25, when she left her house in Mansel Road East, and 7.45am on Thursday July 26, when her body was found in woodland at the Sports Centre.
If anyone was in the area between those times and has information that might help us – however insignificant it might seem – please get in touch.
We want to speak to anyone who was with Lucy, who spoke to her or thinks they may have seen her.
![Pictured: Friends and family gather in Mansel Park, Southampton, near to Lucy McHugh's home to release balloons to remember the 13-year-old who was found dead in woodland in Southampton. Detectives investigating the murder of a 13-year-old schoolgirl will appeal to fans at major sporting events this weekend in their bid to hunt down her killer. Officers continue to trawl through woodland and hedgerows as they hunt for the weapon used to stab teenager Lucy McHugh to death. Despite two large groups of volunteers scouring the area surrounding Southampton Sports Centre, Hants, where Lucy's body was found, they are yet to recover the weapon. Now, police are turning to cricket fans heading to watch Hampshire play Kent in the T20 Blast competition tonight [Fri] at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton. SEE OUR COPY FOR DETAILS. ? Simon Czapp/Solent News & Photo Agency UK +44 (0) 2380 458800](https://metrouk2.files.wordpress.com/2018/08/sei_24042561-76dd-e1533316791601.jpg?quality=80&strip=all&zoom=1&resize=540%2C337)
Earlier this week Stephen Nicholson, 24, was arrested in connection with the death and later bailed.
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He was then charged with failing to co-operate with police in relation to the incident and is due to appear at Southampton Crown Court on August 31.
Police have focused their search on the streets and woodland surrounding the sports centre this week, removing drain covers and wading through thick bushes in a bid to locate a weapon.
Last night, more than 100 volunteers, some even armed with metal detectors, joined the search.
During the search several items, including a mobile phone, a wood saw and clothing were taken by police, but investigations continue.
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