Holby City actor John Michie has said he believes that his daughter’s death at Bestival was a “tragic mistake”.

Louella Michie, 25, had been attending the festival and was reported missing just before 1am on Monday (Sept 11). Her body was later found in the wooded area at the edge of the festival’s site.

Now, the actor has labelled his daughter’s death a “tragic mistake” after a 28-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder.


“We’ve lost our angel”, he told The Sun. “It’s not murder – they were friends. It was just a tragic mistake, a tragic accident. This was not a murder. They were boyfriend and girlfriend.

“She touched so many lives. She was so very positive, so bright, so out there. She had such energy. The tributes to her have been incredible.”

The festival took place in its new home of Lulworth Castle, Dorset over the weekend (Sept 7-11).

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: “Very sadly, following a search of the area the body of the woman was located in a wooded area on the edge of the festival site.

“An investigation is underway to establish the circumstances surrounding her death and a cordon is in place on site while forensic examinations are being carried out.”

A statement from Bestival following today’s news announcement https://t.co/Hp1QmdfSIx — Bestival (@Bestival) September 11, 2017


Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Derbyshire said: “Enquiries are now underway to establish how she died.

“A post-mortem examination will be carried out in due course and this should give us more of an indication as to the cause of her death. We are working closely with the festival organisers and I would appeal to anyone with any information about the incident to contact Dorset Police.”

Loyle Carner also paid tribute to Michie after her death was announced, revealing that he had known her since he was “little”.

“Heartbroken to hear what happened at bestival. I’ve known Louella since I was little”, the rapper wrote.

“She was intelligent, beautiful, funny and always used to look out for me. Sending all my love to her family x”

Heartbroken to hear what happened at bestival. I've known Louella since I was little — Loyle (@LoyleCarner) September 12, 2017

She was intelligent, beautiful, funny and always used to look out for me. Sending all my love to her family x — Loyle (@LoyleCarner) September 12, 2017

Bestival have issued the following statement: “Following today’s news announcement, the team at Bestival are devastated to hear about this tragic news.

“We continue to support the police in their ongoing investigation and our thoughts and prayers are with all the woman’s family and friends.”

Following today’s news announcement, the team at Bestival are devastated to hear about this tragic news. We continue to… Posted by Bestival on Monday, September 11, 2017