Killer ...Because He WAS Dumped?
He took out his anger on my poor innocent sister
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We held Louisa’s funeral months on, sobbed as her daughter Ebony stood to speak beautifully about her mum.
It still seemed so unreal. As we waited for Ludlow’s trial and answers about Louisa’s death, Kayleigh’s illness progressed.
But she was more determined than ever to stay around as long as she could for her family.
Twice, she ended up in a hospice, and each time she made it home. Her strength kept us all going.
‘You’re my inspiration,’ I said.
Slipping away
In August 2011, Kayleigh was admitted a third time.
I went to visit her, did her hair and make-up, pushed her around the hospice gardens in her wheelchair.
Back in her room, Kayleigh gave me a long stare.
‘Love you, Nat,’ she said.
As I sat with her, she complained of a headache.
The doctors topped up her morphine and she slipped into unconsciousness.
I’ll be back tomorrow,
I thought, quietly leaving.
Kayleigh died that night, in her sleep.
She was just 22.
We buried my baby sister and all grieved for her and Louisa.
But there was yet more pain to come.
A year on, in July 2012, Reece Ludlow, 20, appeared at Woolwich Crown Court, denying murder.
My family gathered in the court to hear the awful evidence.
We learned that Louisa had met Ludlow in a pub a few days before her death.
Then, on the evening of 13 March 2011, they’d met again and gone to Ludlow’s home.
There, he’d stabbed her 25 times and beat her with a frying pan. Sickeningly, in the early hours, Ludlow had made a series of telephone calls to his ex-girlfriend, telling her what he’d done to my sister.
Louisa was still alive, desperate. Ludlow’s ex said she’d heard her cry, ‘I’m dying!’
Around 5am, Ludlow had called his mum. She’d phoned the emergency services.
White feathers
Police arrived and found the kitchen and bedroom doors were covered in blood. Louisa’s naked body was in the bathroom.
A serrated knife and a frying pan covered in hair and blood were found in the kitchen, while another knife was found nearby. Midway through the trial, Ludlow changed his plea to guilty.
He was sentenced to life, to serve a minimum of 17 years.
Ludlow never explained why he’d killed Louisa, but police believe he was angry about being dumped by his ex.
He took it out on my poor, innocent sister...
Justice did little to help us heal. I kept thinking back to Kayleigh’s wedding day. The last time we were all together.
Our family is battling on, but life will never be the same.
When Kayleigh passed, I saw white feathers everywhere.
Nurses even found some under her hospital bed.
I take it as a sign that my two sisters are somewhere safe, pain-free and together.
A small comfort, but one that I’m so grateful for.