Goodnight, I love you, see you in the morning
Heartbreaking words from Olivia’s mother at funeral for murdered girl
THE mother of innocent murder victim Olivia Pratt-Korbel said a poignant farewell to her daughter at a packed funeral yesterday.
Cheryl Korbel, 46, told the congregation: ‘I will never say goodbye but what I will say is goodnight, love you, see you in the morning.’
The moving ceremony was held at St Margaret Mary’s Church in Knotty Ash, Liverpool, a short distance from where nine-year- old Olivia was shot dead in her own home just over three weeks ago. Hundreds of people, many of them wearing a ‘ splash of pink’ at the family’s request, lined the streets as the youngster’s coffin was taken to the church by a white, horse-drawn carriage.
Olivia was shot in the chest when n a gunman chasing a convicted d burglar and drug dealer burst into o her home, firing indiscriminately.
Mrs Korbel was hit in the wrist t as she desperately tried to shut her front door, but the bullet also struck her daughter standing g behind. The youngster was taken n to hospital but could not be e saved. Neither the gunman nor his target had any links to Olivia’s family.
Police have arrested nine people but, so far, no one has been charged with Olivia’s murder.
This week Tory peer Lord Ashcroft offered a £50,000 reward via his Crimestoppers charity for information leading to the gunman’s conviction.
Mrs Korbel told mourners how Olivia, known as Liv, had been born six weeks early and spent nine days in a special baby unit. ‘She was so small yet even as a newborn she had her own mind,’ Mrs Korbel said. The mother of three added: ‘ Olivia was very chatty and bubbly and would talk for England, to the point we thought she had Duracell batteries inside. She would have made a great lawyer as she had an answer for everything.
‘Liv touched so many people’s hearts and was loved and adored by everyone. She will never be forgotten. I will never say goodbye but what I will say is goodnight, love you, see you in the morning.’
A eulogy from Olivia’s father, John Francis Pratt, was read by parish priest Father Roy Cooper. He called her ‘our very own little diva’ who was kind, caring and helpful. Olivia’s sister Chloe also gave a reading during the service.
The white coffin, with butterflies painted on the side, was topped with lilies. Unicorns and flowers in teddy bear shapes were placed alongside it in the carriage.
Pupils at Olivia’s school, St Margaret Mary’s Catholic Junior next door to the church, had decorated the school railings with pink ribbons, while Olivia’s name was spelled out in pink hearts in the windows. Her classmates painted their nails pink in her memory and watched her favourite film, Matilda, instead of lessons yesterday.
Archbishop Malcolm McMahon called Olivia a ‘gift to her family and all who knew her’. He said he had faith her death would ‘lead to a community here in Liverpool without violence – that it will become a place of peace and justice’.
Amazing Grace was sung and as the cortege left for a private burial, the family hugged and wiped away tears as mourners applauded.
‘Touched so many people’s hearts’