‘The nightmares always end with Lauren’s passing and me being helpless to save her’
THE parents of a young murder victim strangled to death by her callous fiance have described their life-changing ordeal for the first time.
In victim impact statements read out in court at the sentencing of their daughter’s killer the parents of Lauren Griffiths described the ongoing effect of the tragedy.
At yesterday’s hearing Ms Griffiths’ proud parents gave moving victim impact statements, with fathe” Jason Griffiths saying that his life “changed forever” when he learned of his daughter’s death.
“No amount of counselling, comforting and real life facts were going to change that,” he said.
“Knowing your child has died is horrific enough but to know someone else has taken their life takes things to another level.
“Right the way through this process I have heard things that no parent should ever have to hear about their child and had to meet people I should never have had to meet: police officers, victim support officers, counsellors and doctors. The list is endless.
“As time went on and I was given
more information I noticed a real change in myself. I became distant, not bothered, irrational, shorttempered. I liked going to work because I did not have to think about anything, just the work.
“Since Lauren died I started to have nightmares and trouble sleeping. The nightmares always ended the same way – with Lauren’s passing and me being helpless to save her. I have been diagnosed as having PTSD which is due to the trauma caused by discovering one of my children had been killed and then having to identify her in the hospital.
“Fortunately I was able receive support from my bereavement counsellor who was able to put me in touch with other professionals who are helping me.
“One of the things I so miss so much about Lauren is the way she greeted you with this almost musical ‘Hiya’.
“I am extremely lucky to have been helped through all of this by awesome people and I hope in the future that I will be there to help anyone in the same position.”
A statement provided by Ms Griffiths’ mother, Alison Turner, read: “As a family we have lost a precious daughter and sister.
“Lauren was a quirky, fun-loving character who loved to come home to visit her family and friends. She is missed every day and our family will never to be able to understand why this happened. Lauren had plans for the future which have sadly been lost forever.
“What happened to Lauren has had a devastating effect on all of us. It is extremely difficult to put into words how we feel.
“We will never come to terms with her death and miss her dreadfully every day.
“All we have left is our precious memories of someone we loved dearly.”