Latest news with #familytribute
The Sun
3 days ago
- The Sun
Mum pleads GUILTY to killing daughter, 2, who was found dead in pond just yards from her home
A MUM has pleaded guilty to killing her two-year-old daughter who was found dead in a pond near her home. Annabel Mackey vanished from her home in Kingsley, Hampshire, on September 10, 2023 - sparking a frantic search. 2 The two-year-old was discovered a short time later unresponsive in a pond. Annabel was rushed to hospital in a serious condition but sadly died the following day. Her mum Alice Mackey appeared at Winchester Crown Court today where she pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Police had been called to the family home on September 11, 2023, after Annabel was reported missing at 5.02pm. A probe was launched into her death and movements before the tragic discovery was made. The youngster's dad previously paid tribute to his daughter and thanked those who were a "positive influence" in her life. He also described Annabel as a "beautiful, positive and very happy little girl". The dad added: 'She had an incredibly pure and caring nature that we miss so much. She loved story time, dogs and her dolly. 'She enjoyed singing songs and nursery rhymes and had a very sweet tooth. 'Annabel loved to laugh, she brought so much happiness into our lives. "She was dearly loved by her family and friends. "The world needs more people like Annabel to spread positivity and kindness. 'Annabel, I love you so much, you are a shining star and you will be loved forever x.'
Sky News
7 days ago
- Sky News
Family pay tribute to 'deeply loved' great-grandparents who died in Merseyside house fire
The family of an elderly couple who died after a fire at their home last week have paid tribute to "deeply loved" great-grandparents. Police have launched a murder investigation after Eric Greener, 77, and his partner Sheila Jackson, 83, died following the blaze in St Helens, Merseyside, in the early hours of 15 July. Merseyside Police said an accelerant was used to start the blaze at the couple's home, where they had lived for 15 years. In a tribute, the family said: "Sheila and Eric, also known as our Queen and King, were a deeply loved mum, nan, great-nan, sister, auntie, dad, step-dad, grandad, great-grandad, uncle and couple. "They were known for being the life and soul of the party, always loving a song on the karaoke and enjoying a great caravan holiday. "They will forever be devastatingly missed but eternally loved by their family, friends and the community." A 46-year-old man from Fazakerley was arrested on suspicion of murder on Wednesday and remains in police custody. A 31-year-old man from St Helens was arrested on Sunday on suspicion of murder but was released on conditional bail after questioning. Police have asked the public to come forward with any information regarding the case. Speaking earlier this week, Detective Superintendent Rachel Wilson said: "I know the community in St Helens is still feeling the shock and sadness of Eric and Sheila's tragic deaths.
The Independent
7 days ago
- The Independent
Couple who died after arson attack remembered as ‘life and soul of the party'
A 'deeply loved' couple who died after an arson at their home are being remembered as the 'life and soul of the party'. Eric Greener, 77, and Sheila Jackson, 83, died following the blaze in St Helens, Merseyside, in the early hours of 15 July. Police have launched a murder investigation. 'Sheila and Eric, also known as our Queen and King, were a deeply loved mum, nan, great-Nan, sister, auntie, dad, step-dad, grandad, great-grandad, uncle and couple,' their family said in a tribute. 'They were known for being the life and soul of the party, always loving a song on the karaoke and enjoying a great caravan holiday. 'They will forever be devastatingly missed but eternally loved by their family, friends and the community.' Merseyside Police said an accelerant was used to start the blaze at the home on South John Street. The couple had lived at the home for 15 years. A 46-year-old man from Fazakerley remains in custody after he was arrested on suspicion of murder on Wednesday. A 31-year-old man from St Helens was arrested on Sunday on suspicion of murder and was conditionally bailed after questioning. Speaking earlier this week, Detective Superintendent Rachel Wilson said: 'I know the community in St Helens is still feeling the shock and sadness of Eric and Sheila's tragic deaths. 'Our investigation team have been carrying out extensive inquiries into the incident and this second arrest demonstrates important progress is being made. 'We continue to ask the public to come forward with information, either directly to Merseyside Police or anonymously via Crimestoppers. 'If you have yet to come forward and recall seeing or hearing anything suspicious on or around South John Street around the time of the incident, please do not assume what you know has already been reported to us. 'Tell us what you know and we will assess all information as we build a full picture of what happened and ultimately seek to bring the perpetrators to justice.'
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Daily Mail
Second man, 46, arrested on suspicion of murdering 'deeply loved' elderly couple in 'petrol bomb arson attack' at their home
A second man has been arrested for murder after an alleged petrol bomb arson attack that killed an elderly couple whose family have now paid a loving tribute. Relatives have issued a statement in honour of Eric Greener, 77, and 83-year-old Sheila Jackson who died following a blaze at their home in St Helens, Merseyside. A 46-year-old man from Fazakerley has now been arrested on suspicion of murder and taken into custody for questioning, Merseyside Police announced today. That comes after a 31-year-old man from St Helens was arrested on suspicion of murder on Sunday. He was conditionally bailed after questioning. The force previously confirmed an accelerant had been used to start the blaze in South John Street at around 12.40am on Tuesday last week. The family statement paying tribute, shared today, said: 'Sheila and Eric, also known as our Queen and King were a deeply loved mum, nan, great-Nan, sister, auntie, dad, step-dad, grandad, great-grandad, uncle and couple. 'They were known for being the life and soul of the party, always loving a song on the karaoke and enjoying a great caravan holiday. 'They will forever be devastatingly missed but eternally loved by their family, friends and the community.' Det Supt Rachel Wilson, senior investigating officer, previously said: 'Although an arrest has been made, I would like to take this opportunity to remind people to pass on information directly to police or anonymously via Crimestoppers, and not to comment or post in any way which jeopardises this ongoing work. 'Extensive inquiries continue, and to that end we are still appealing for anyone with information to come forward, particularly if you live in the area of South John Street and recall seeing or hearing anything suspicious at around the time of the incident.' Pictures of the couple, including one showing Mr Greener with his arm around Ms Jackson, were released by their families through the police last week. Det Chief Insp Steve McGrath described the attack as 'sickening' and 'a truly shocking incident', adding everyone in Merseyside would be 'utterly appalled' at what had happened. The 'lovely couple' had been together for 30 years and have left an 'incredibly close-knit' community struggling to come to terms with their sudden deaths. Neighbours described feeling 'raw' and being 'all gutted' by the tragic event. The couple, who were parents and grandparents, had been living in the property for 15 years before their deaths. One message left beside a bunch of roses read: 'There are no words to express the sadness that we feel that this senseless act has happened to two of the loveliest people that we had the pleasure of knowing. 'May you both rest in peace together. 'With all of our love from your neighbours and friends.' Anyone with information has been asked to contact Merseyside Police by calling 101, quoting incident reference 25000580909, or through social media on X @MerPolCC or on Facebook at Merseyside Police Contact Centre. Information can also be given through Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Telegraph
7 days ago
- Telegraph
Pictured: Elderly couple who died in ‘sickening' arson attack
An elderly couple killed in a 'sickening' arson attack were known for being 'the life and soul of the party', their family has said. Peter Eric Greener, 77, and his partner Sheila Jackson, 83, died following the fire at their home on South John Street in St. Helens on Tuesday. A spokesman for Merseyside Police previously confirmed a murder investigation had been launched. The couple's family has now paid tribute to their 'Queen and King', releasing the first pictures of the couple. In a statement, the family said: 'Sheila and Eric, also known as our Queen and King, were a deeply loved mum, nan, great-Nan, sister, auntie, dad, step-dad, grandad, great-grandad, uncle and couple. 'They were known for being the life and soul of the party, always loving a song on the karaoke and enjoying a great caravan holiday. 'They will forever be devastatingly missed but eternally loved by their family, friends and the community.' A 46-year-old man from Fazakerley has been arrested on suspicion of murder and taken into custody for questioning. On Sunday 20 July, a 31-year-old man from St Helens was arrested on suspicion of murder. He was conditionally bailed after questioning. A white tent was pitched outside the burnt out shell of a home's front door last week. The windows had blown out, leaving the surrounding bricks blackened by the flames. Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service contacted police to report the fire at 12.40am on Tuesday, and the couple were rescued from inside and taken to hospital for treatment, the spokesman said. Following a joint investigation with the fire service, police said it was determined that an accelerant was used by a third party to start the fire 'maliciously'. Detective Chief Inspector Steve McGrath said: 'This is a truly shocking incident and I'm sure that the community and everyone in Merseyside will be utterly appalled at what has happened. 'It's difficult to comprehend how someone could deliberately start a fire while two elderly people are inside the home. It's absolutely sickening, and we are determined to find the person or people responsible.' He asked homeowners to check their CCTV or smart doorbell footage. 'Even if it appears to be a small detail, it could end up being vital to our enquiries,' he added. 'I would also ask that any drivers who have dashcam footage and were in the area of South John Street and Parr Street between midnight and 1am to contact us if you have captured anything significant.'
