Daughter forced to identify bodies of mother and brother she loved
IN an interview last year, Lydia told of the moment she had to identify the bodies of her mother and brother while her father fought for his life.
“I went in and I just stayed with my mum and brother for a while, and said that I was sorry I couldn’t protect them,” she said. “And I stroked their hair. I was with my liaison officers and my boyfriend, and I just stayed there because I knew that was going to be the last time I saw them in my life.”
She described Tracey as “the most perfect mother and friend” and Pierce as “simply the best brother I could ask for”.
“My mum was stunning,” she said. “She had a beautiful personality, she knew fashion extremely well – better than anyone else I have ever known.
“She was just very caring and helpful. She loved her family. She was very invested in her family and I was very, very close with my mum.
“I was due to come home the day after and pick out a dress for my university ball, which I obviously didn’t end up doing with her.
“To have my best friend taken from me in life at such a young age is a hardship I would never wish on anyone. Because it has to be the most awful experience.
“Especially when something happens now, I can’t ring her up anymore. Pierce was just handsome, funny, clever. He was very personable. Everybody made friends with Pierce. He could make friends in an empty room.
She said her mother and brother loved to watch films together.
“Their favourite pastime was on a cold winter’s day to get under a blanket together and watch films such as Star Trek or Star Wars,” she said.
“They both shared a unique a passion for the Carry On films and they very much loved each other, as much as we all loved each other as a family. My mum and brother were just the iconic mother and son relationship.”