Families’ ‘indescribable pain’ over four killings
THE families of a mother and three children killed at a house in Derbyshire have said they are in “indescribable pain” and have been “left broken” by their deaths.
John Paul Bennett, 13, Lacey Bennett, 11, their mother Terri Harris, 35, and Lacey’s friend Connie Gent, 11, were found dead at a house in Chandos Crescent, Killamarsh, on September 19.
Damien Bendall, 31, has been charged with murdering all four and has been remanded in custody. Bendall, of Chandos Crescent, is due to enter a plea to the charges at Nottingham Crown Court on November 26.
Paying tribute to her daughter in a statement issued by Derbyshire police, Connie’s mother, Kerry Shelton, said: “Anyone who knows Connie knows just how special she is. Connie had an amazing imagination and was always ready to put on a show, especially at Christmas when she would write plays to act out with her brothers and sister.
“At birthdays, Halloween or at any given chance Connie would be organising, making or baking. She always made things so special.
“I have so many memories about Connie, but they belong to me and my children. Memories we will always cherish. I would like to thank all involved for their love and support. Connie, we will love you always and forever.”
An inquest hearing into the four deaths was told all victims died as a result of a “violent attack”.
Paying tribute to his daughter, Connie’s father, Charles Gent, said: “The pain is indescribable. I wake up every morning hoping this has all been a terrible nightmare, but it’s not. It’s the unbearable reality that my little girl has gone.
“Connie was an absolute superstar in every way. She had a gift – if someone was down she could instantly make them feel okay.
“She lit up every room she went in and meant something to everyone she came across, even in hard times. Connie had the ability to keep everyone smiling.
“This by far is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to go through; it still doesn’t even feel real. Fly safe my angel. They came for you and left me behind. I could never say goodbye, so I’ll see you soon. I love you more than you can possibly imagine forever and always.”
He also paid tribute to his “special baby girl” in an emotional interview in which he urged parents to value the time they have with their children. He told ITV: “Connie was one of the nicest girls you’ll ever meet. She was special, she could have been anything she wanted to be. I’d rather it be me than her, she had her whole life ahead of her.”
Mr Gent said Connie and her best friend Lacey were “inseparable” and that “sleepovers were always a thing” for the two friends, so he had no concerns about her staying over.
The pair had spent their last day alive setting up a sweet stall to raise money for charity. Tragically, their young lives were cut short in what a coroner described as a “violent attack” when their inquests opened on Monday.
Mr Gent, who identified Connie’s body, said: “It’s your worst possible nightmare. Connie always had the ability to always make me smile. She was like my best friend. There are no words, I’m going to miss my baby girl.
“I’ve lost my absolute world. She was one in a hundred billion, there’s nobody like Connie. It’s the last thing you think is going to happen when your daughter is sleeping out, they’re just having a good time aren’t they?
“There’s a million ways around you can try and change, or change the events leading up to it - but it will eat you alive to think of it.” Jason Bennett, John Paul and Lacey’s father, visited the scene shortly after the incident to lay flowers to his children.
In a statement, he said: “Life will never be the same again. Families have been left broken by the awful loss of John, Lacey, Terri and Connie.
“I’ve been left broken. I’m devastated. John and Lacey came into our lives and brought so much love and happiness and were adored by myself and their big sisters, forever loved and remembered.
“We would also like to thank everyone for their loving support and our thoughts go out to everyone affected by the tragic loss of four precious lives.”
Ms Harris’s parents, Angela Smith and Lawrence Harris, issued a joint statement through police in which they said: “Our Terri, our daughter, our world, our everything. From the day she was born she was our princess and remained so until she was cruelly taken from us. She was an amazing mum; her babies were her world.
“Terri would put herself out not just for her family and friends but anyone who needed her help. She absolutely loved her work as a care worker and would go above and beyond for the people she cared for. She will be missed more than any words can ever express, not only by her family but by anyone who had the privilege to have been in her life.”
I wake up every morning hoping this has all been a terrible nightmare, but it’s not
Charles Gent