Family in tribute to ‘beautiful, funny’ daughter

THE family of a woman whose body was discovered in a flat sparking a murder probe have paid tribute to their “beautiful, funny’’ daughter who loved to sing.

Emma Potter, pictured, 40, was found dead by police at her home in Stroud in Gloucestershire on November 4.

Emma’s death was initially treated as being unexplained but the results of a post-mortem examination led to a murder investigation.

Joe Rankin, 33, of Stroud, has been charged with her murder. He appeared before Bristol Crown Court on yesterday.

Remembering her life, her family said: “We mourn the death of our daughter, Emma, who joined our family as a beautiful five-month-old baby. She enjoyed all kinds of music and loved to sing. Her heroine was Whitney Houston. She longed to be like her.

“All her life, Emma tried to be kind to anyone who befriended her.

“Life wasn’t always easy but she was trying to find ways to improve herself. We will never know whether she would have succeeded.

“Who would have thought that beautiful, funny, dark-eyed baby would have had such a tragic end?”