Anguish at funeral for car fire mum
Reporter HUNDREDS of mourners turned out to pay their respects at the funeral of a woman found dead in a burning car.
Mum-of-one Quyen Ngoc Nguyen was found by emergency services on Success Road in Shiney Row, Houghton-le-Spring, on August 15.
And speaking at the conclusion of the emotionally-charged service, sister Quynh Ngoc Nguyen said her devastated family remain in a state of absolute shock.
She said: “Quyen was such a kind and nice person.
“This is still a shock to me. I did not expect this kind of thing would happen to someone in this country.”
Stunned mourners were in tears during the Buddhist service held in the Chandler Suite of the Assembly Rooms in Newcastle.
The funeral opened with wishes from family and friends read aloud, before all engaged in prayers and private reflection on the 29-year-old mum’s behalf.
Members of Miss Nguyen’s family wore white bands on their heads and arms in her memory, and many placed their hands on her coffin as incense was lit and the service drew to a close.
Quynh, 35, who lived with her younger sister at their Killingworth home, opened up on the impact of her loss.
She said: “We did lots together and had lots in common. We loved to take her son to school, to go on holiday and to cook.
“Quyen was hoping that she could have another child, a baby girl maybe, but that can’t happen anymore.”
Hailing from Vinh – a city in the north of Vietnam – Quyen moved to the UK in 2010 to study business at the London School of Economics before making her way to the North East.
Friend Jolly Hoang, who now lives in south-east London, described Quyen as her ‘older sister’ who gave her support ever since they first met back in their homeland almost a decade ago.
Jolly, 21, said: “She was a very kind person who would help anybody in need.
“To me she was a really good older sister. Whenever I had any problems, I called her and if she could find anyway to help she would.
“Quyen loved music, she loved to sing and dance. She loved to go out with friends, and wanted to be a good mum. “She did not deserve this.” Reliving the day she realised Quyen had gone missing, Jolly revealed agitated family and friends still clung to hope even after the burning car was discovered.
She added: “We tried to contact Quyen but she did not answer. We tried her sister, and she said she’d rung the police.
“They found a car burning and they still didn’t know if it was her or not. It took three hours to work out if it was her, so we were still left hoping.”
Quyen’s body is now due to be flown back to Vietnam and laid to rest in her homeland.
The-mum-of-one is survived by her four-year-old son Binh Duc Phuc Nguyen Phan.
Two men charged with the murder of Ms Nguyen have been remanded in custody after appearing at Newcastle Crown Court.
Stephen Unwin, 39, of St Oswald’s Terrace, Houghton, and William McFall, 50, of Waterloo Road, Blackpool, are due to face trial in February next year.