A teenager found dead in her flat with knife wounds to the neck was the daughter of a top Sussex policeman, it emerged today.

Bank clerk Rae Torbet, 19, was discovered at her flat in Cantelupe Road, Bexhill, by a colleague after she failed to turn up for work on Friday.

Her former partner, Dellwyn James, 31, of Chiltern Drive, Hastings, was appearing at Hastings magistrates' court this afternoon charged with her murder.

Miss Torbet's father is Detective Chief Inspector Jim Torbet, head of CID in Eastbourne and vice-chairman at the school where his daughter was head girl.

Her uncle, Fraser Torbet, is a detective at Brighton police station in John Street.

Police throughout Sussex expressed shock and sadness today.

One officer at Eastbourne said: "There's a grim mood everywhere round here today. Jim's a great bloke and this is so sad."

A Sussex Police spokesman said: "Everyone is extremely moved and we all feel for the family. That said, this case will be handled in the same professional way as any other."

Mr Torbet, 48 and divorced, has a son aged 17. He joined Sussex Police in 1980 and has also worked in Brighton, Hove and the Regional Crime Squad.

He led the investigation into the murder of Billy Carmichael, 64, in Lower Rock Gardens, Brighton, in 2000. Two defendants were jailed for life.

His daughter, former head girl at Bexhill High School, worked as a clerk at a branch of HSBC in Hailsham.

Wreaths from friends of the teenager were placed against the brick wall in front of the flats but colleagues were too distressed to talk.

Several were in tears as they paused in silence at the spot and some made the sign of the cross.

One card read: "To Dear Rae, You were loved by all." Another said: "We will all miss you".

The victim had only recently moved into the flat, in three-storey Park Lane Court, near the junction of Bolebrook Road and Cantelupe Road.

She was head girl at Bexhill High School in 1999-2000.

Assistant headteacher David Cowley said: "The school is in a very sombre mood this morning.

"We've had a special assembly because even when students leave our school they are still part of our community. It is a great loss to that community.

"Rae was a very popular member of the society of which we are part.

"She was a very well respected and well liked head girl, a very bubbly character, very lively, popular with students and staff alike. She was an excellent ambassador for the school.

"It is just a tragic loss - and following so soon after the loss of one of our students to meningitis last year. Unfortunately, we're being touched by tragedy for the second time, which only makes it twice as hard."

Police spent the weekend gathering forensic evidence.

Detective Superintendent Chris Gillings, heading the inquiry, said: "The girl returned home from work at about 5.30pm on Thursday.

"We are interested in hearing from anyone who was in the Cantelupe Road area at that time."

Anyone with information should contact Sussex Police on 0845 6070999.