‘Dignified’ service for Clarence children
THE funeral service held this week for Olivia, Ben and Max Clarence — whose mother Tania is accused of killing them — was “private and dignified”.
The three children, 4-yearold Olivia and three-year-old twins Ben and Max, were allegedly smothered to death by Tania last month. Authorities refused to confirm or deny that Tania attended the service in London under guard.
Their father, Gary, was in South Africa with the couple’s eldest daughter, aged 8, when tragedy struck in Thetford Road, New Malden, in southwest London.
South Africa-born Tania and Gary have lived in the UK, where Gary works for Investec, for several years. All three children suffered from a genetic disorder, spinal muscular atrophy type II. It is understood that their mobility was restricted and they required wheelchairs and also needed feeding tubes, among other interventions.
Officials would not confirm that Tania was allowed to attend Wednesday’s funeral service. “It was a family affair and the media was asked not to attend,” said a Scotland Yard spokesman. “No details regarding the location of the funeral were given out, as requested by the family.”
Asked whether Tania attended, Scotland Yard referred questions to the Ministry of Justice, which said the Ministry of Health should respond. The latter referred questions to the hospital. No comment was forthcoming.
However, a person close to the family said: “She [Tania] was included in everything [in terms of the funeral], including the speeches. She is not persona non grata. She is a loving mother and wife and she is loved herself.
“The funeral has taken place privately. Police were guarding everything. We did not have journalists around. It was under the radar.”
Tania was remanded in custody at a secure hospital when she made her second court appearance — through a video link from prison — last month.
She will remain at the hospital, which cannot be named by court order, until her next appearance.
It is understood that Tania will be psychiatrically assessed and the report will be presented to the court. Friends and neighbours have painted a picture of a woman under immense strain caring for her ill children.
In the interim, life has returned to the home in Thetford Road that the couple spent months renovating to accommodate the special needs of their children, including installing a lift for wheelchairs.
Gary and his eldest daughter have been surrounded by family and friends.
“They’ve had their families rally around them; they are blessed. Family and friends and the community are all treating them with kindness. We just hope that it stays that way,” said the family friend.
During a visit on Friday, the tributes that adorned the drive had been removed.
The police tape that cordoned off the property was gone — 29 Thetford Road no longer resembled a crime scene. It looked like any other upmarket home.
An elderly lady answered the door as a young woman busied herself tidying up the lounge. Gary was not home, she said, as she graciously accepted condolences.
“They just need to get on now. Initially, they’ll have family and friends around.
“But those two [Gary and his eldest daughter] will eventually have to muddle through on their own,” said the friend.