Girlfriend’s raw grief for dead Briton
THE distraught girlfriend of the Briton killed in the Paris terror attacks broke down as she paid tribute to the ‘love of my life.’
Polina Buckley said she was ‘crushed and heartbroken’ by the murder of Nick Alexander, 36, who was shot dead by gunmen who stormed the Bataclan theatre.
All Britons caught up in the attacks are believed to be accounted for.
Ms Buckley sobbed uncontrollably as she attended a makeshift shrine for victims of the attacks at the French Consulate in New York, where she lives. She also posted pictures of them together on Facebook and told how they met three years ago as they walked through Manhattan. ‘I fell in love the moment I laid eyes on you,’ she wrote. ‘This was the most loving, passionate and eventful relationship I’ve ever experienced. You were my everything. My lover, my best friend, my soulmate.’
On Twitter she added: ‘I will miss you terribly. Sleep tight, my sweet prince. I will always love you.’ She uploaded a photograph of a poignant note left for her by Mr Alexander, which read: ‘Stop press! I love you Polina, Nick xx.’
Ms Buckley had posted desperate messages late on Friday after hearing about the unfolding massacre in Paris, describing herself as in a ‘state of agony and panic’.
Mr Alexander, from Colchester, Essex, was selling T-shirts at the Eagles Of Death Metal gig when he was shot in front of his ex-girlfriend Helen Wilson. American Ms Wilson, 49, who runs a catering firm in Paris, said that he had phoned her the night before the gig to say he was in the French capital and to arrange a catch up.
Mr Alexander was described by his family as ‘everyone’s best friend’ who was generous, funny and loyal. They said that he died ‘doing the job he loved’.
Rev David Newman, Mr Alexander’s family vicar, described him as ‘very, very thoughtful’.
Speaking to ITV News from the church near the family’s home, he said: ‘We are all deeply, deeply shocked by this terrible event.
‘The Alexanders are a wellrespected local family. It’s something that will be felt not only by his immediate friends but by all of us.
‘I believe the community will support the Alexander family and all those who knew, respected and were so fond of Nick throughout his life.
‘He was at the grammar school. Like most young people, when he went off to university we saw much less of him. But when he came home he came along with his family to church, and with all his globetrotting with his work since then, he has always attended when he can and been a very welcome presence with us.
‘He was very, very thoughtful – especially to older people. Even when he was a schoolboy he used to go and help by reading to blind people, and many other kindnesses that perhaps one might not expect from a boy of that age.
‘Throughout his life he has been the same person – and that person is one of kindliness and thoughtfulness.’
The singer Cat Stevens, now known as Yusuf Islam, tweeted: ‘Just read Nick Alexander was killed in Paris. He was our tour merchandiser on last year’s tour. Sending love & condolences to his family.’