Family and friends of the Buckleys will never get over the events of September 18, 2012, when their loved ones were cruelly snatched away, but they are determined that their legacy will live on.
Crime reporter NATALIE CROCKETT has the story, while HAYLEY MILLS looks at how friends are raising funds for the hospital which helped the family.
THE devastated family of Kim, Kayleigh and Kimberley Buckley yesterday revealed the true extent of their heartache in a victim impact statement read to the court.
Many in the packed public gallery sobbed quietly as prosecutor Gregory Bull QC read a touching tribute by Kim’s mum Gwyneth Swain, written on behalf of the whole family.
In it she told how the mother, daughter and granddaughter were affectionately known as the “Special Ks” because they were very special to so many people and said to have them snatched away in one incident had a massive impact on the community.
She described Kim as an “amazing”, outgoing person with a vibrant character who was loved by everyone and was ready to help anyone with a smile.
She said she was hard working, family-orientated and was like a sister to her.
She talked of how the pair had helped each other through personal tragedy and said it was hard to believe she was no longer here and will not be coming back.
The great grandmother said the Primark worker was “so excited”
and proud to have Kimberley home for the first time and was looking forward to the future.
She continued: “There is a hole inmylife that no one can ever fill, my life will never be the same again. To have lost my daughter Kim, my lovely granddaughter Kayleigh and my great granddaughter Kimberley in one senseless act is beyond words. I am surrounded by people that I turn to, I have a much-loved husband John, a son and eight stepchildren and many many grandchildren, but sometimes I just feel so alone. This is when I miss Kim most. I am so lost without them and I can not truly express this.
“Kim and I have been through so much together, the tragic loss of Leigh, Shaun’s twin who died at birth, then the death of David due to carbon monoxide poisoning, and then the death of baby Angel who was stillborn.
“We helped each other through all of those tragic events and it made our bond together so strong.
“Some days the hurt and pain gets too much and I think that I can not carry on but go on I must as I have so many people relying on me especially Shaun [Kim’s son], he has lost all of his immediate family and I worry so much for him.”
Mrs Swain spoke of her concerns for Shaun, who she said had to visit the mortuary and see Kim, Kayleigh and Kimberley as he could not convince himself that they had been killed. After their deaths he spent hours outside their home playing music, wanting to be close to where they had died.
She added: “We worry for his future and without the guidance of his mum Kim. He must think why me, what have I done to deserve this?”
She spoke of the impact on Kim’s partner of ten years, David Parker, who is having counselling to try and heal his pain and get his life back on track.
Kim was his life and soul mate, while Kayleigh was like a daughter he never had, and he described them as “his life”. A life now, like hers, that’s been torn apart, she said. Kayleigh was described as a shy girl who like her mum always had a smile on her face. She loved her family and her baby daughters and would have been an amazing mum.
She spoke of the battles baby Kimberley faced in her short life but said the family would have worked hard to help her overcome them. They were all looking forward to seeing “Nanny Kim” in her element as Kimberley grew but said now they could only imagine what it would have been like.
She added: “To have to have a funeral for one relation in circumstances like this would be hard to come to terms with but to have had a funeral service for three at once is almost beyond comprehension.
“To lose three such special people in such horrific circumstances is something that is going to affect all of us for the rest of our lives. Due to the senseless, cruel acts and selfishness of one person the heart has been ripped out of family, a heart that can never be replaced.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel