Outpouring of grief for Louise
Hundreds of mourners pay final respects to teen whose body was found in woods
EVEN in the darkest moments, the Leigh Park community will always be looking out for one another.
That was made clear as the funeral for 16-year-old Louise Smith took place yesterday.
Hundreds of people lined the streets of Leigh Park to say their final goodbyes to the youngster, who was taken by horse and carriage to The Oaks Crematorium in Havant.
Applause broke out when her funeral cortege, with ‘Lou Lou’ spelled out in flowers above her coffin, passed people in the street.
For her funeral procession, purple ribbons were tied around lampposts and signs in the area, and mourners lined the streets – with many wearing purple.
More than 500 bikers also showed up to take part in the procession, which ran from High Lawn Way to Middle Park Way, before going along Petersfield Road and towards the crematorium.
James ‘Sparky’ Sparks, 37, says he saw Louise just two days before she disappeared.
He said: ‘When I heard about what happened to her it was like someone had cut me open.
‘Everyone is absolutely heartbroken about it.’
With James was Stephanie Hollis, 23, and her four-yearold daughter Onyx.
Stephanie, who has known
Louise’s family since she was a child, said: ‘Louise was so good with kids, and Onyx got to spend a lot of time with her.
‘She was a very well-known girl in the community and even if she was battling her own demons, she would still make time for others.
‘It felt like she was looking down on us all today.’
Along the route were many people who knew Louise and her family.
They have vowed to always be there for the teenager’s family, no matter what, reinforcing the strong sense of community in Leigh Park.
Tania Relf, 60, used to live next door to one of Louise’s relatives.
She was joined in Middle Park Way by Chris Hallum, 66, and 60-year-old Lesley Marsh.
Tania said: ‘I remember what Louise was like as a little girl.
‘She was always cheeky and smiling, a really bubbly character.
‘When things like this happen you feel so helpless, so coming out and showing our support is the least we can do.’
Lesley added: ‘It was so overwhelming to see so many people.
‘It’s really important that we all look out for one another at times like this – the good things do outweigh the bad in Leigh Park, and we will always be looking out for them.’
As the horse and carriage was followed through the streets by Louise’s family in vehicles and the hundreds of bikers, mourners broke out into a respectful applause in a show of solidarity.
Staff, students and parents stood outside Havant Academy to say farewell.
With tributes laid outside the school, headteacher, Victoria Adams, gave a heartfelt tribute to Louise.
She said Louise was a ‘really valued and loved member’ of the school community.
She added: ‘Louise took part in lots of extracurricular activities – she was a happy smiling young lady.
‘Havant and Leigh Park will miss her very much.
‘The whole community is really saddened. As a school we have been rocked by what has happened.'
Some people who lined the procession route had never even met Louise or her family – but were keen to show that they will stand with them through thick and thin.
Leigh Park mum Melissa Ellison didn’t know Louise but felt compelled to come and pay her respects, after taking part in a number of search walks when she went missing.
She said: ‘My heart goes out to the family – no parent
It felt like she was looking down on us all today. She was very well known here
Stephanie Hollis
should have to feel that pain.
‘I felt it was important to come down to show the family we are all thinking of them.
‘Being a mother myself it was very emotional seeing the funeral procession go by.'
Another parent, 41-year-old Louise Copus, said: ‘Leigh Park always comes together in difficult times like this.
‘I’'s something that shocked everyone in the area.’
Louise’s aunt, 33-yearold Hannah Welstead, from Bedhampton, this week told
The News her niece was a ‘really happy person’ with ‘beautiful blue eyes’.
She said: ‘It’s still very raw for all of us. ‘She was a very lovely girl.’
Louise went missing on VE Day, May 8, prompting a huge search from police and residents. Tragedy struck nearly two weeks later.
Her body was found in Havant Thicket, 13 days later.
A police investigation ensued and a man has been charged with her murder.