THE sister of Cerys Yemm has said she found out about her death on Facebook.

Miss Yemm was attacked by Matthew Williams in his room at the Sirhowy Arms Hotel, Argoed, on November 6, 2014. 

Mr Williams, who was Tasered by police and later died from his injuries, unlawfully killed the 22-year-old, an inquest ruled recently.

Now, her mother and sister have appeared on TV to speak about her death.

Miss Yemm’s sister Shannon said she found out about her sister’s death on social media when someone sent her a link to a story about the incident.

She said: "I saw the post that there had been a murder in Argoed, and I had people messaging me on Facebook Messenger saying 'Please don't tell me it's true, it's not your sister?'."

She then had to drive from Cardiff to her family home where her mother Paula confirmed the devastating news.

She said: "I was trying to call Cerys because I didn't know. I didn't get no answer, but I didn't think that was weird because I didn't get an answer from my brother either, so I just thought something had happened at home."

During the interview the family criticised police for the lack of information given to them about the killing.

They said that stories were shared on social media with details of the killing but Mrs Yemm said that at no point were they sat down and told about her daughter's injuries.

Due to witness account the killing was reported as cannibalism, but Miss Yemm's mother said they didn't find out the true nature of her death until details were revealed during the inquest.

During the inquest it was revealed that Miss Yemm had bite marks on her body, but Dr Richard Jones, a home office forensic pathologist, said there was no evidence that any part of her body had been eaten.

Mrs Yemm said: "What I got told initially was that it was a head injury. Then they opened the inquest and I saw that it was a sharp force trauma to face and neck, which for me as a parent is very different to a head injury. So I went to the police and asked 'Why it was being reported as this' that and they said yes it was, but didn't go into any details.

"So for the last two and a half years that has been over us as a family, not knowing what or the circumstances and I have been in the dark about my child. 
"Very early on I didn't want to know the details, but as weeks and months went on of course I wanted to know things, and I made that very clear."

A Gwent Police spokeswoman said: "Cerys Yemm was killed in the most tragic of circumstances and Gwent Police did what we thought was respectful and sensitive in these very difficult circumstances.  

"At the time of the incident,  the  family asked specifically that limited information be given to them regarding Cerys’ injuries. In order to limit the impact of such a horrific and gruesome event for the family, Gwent Police respected this request and provided all necessary updates in the most sensitive way possible given the circumstances.

"As soon as we became aware that there was no evidence of the allegation being made by the press that Cerys Yemm was “eaten” this was communicated to the Yemm family.

"Gwent Police dealt with the family as sensitively as possible in what can only be described as heart breaking circumstances. We again would like to offer our sincere sympathies to Cerys’ family."

The family say that the killing has ruined their lives and that some of them have struggled with depression and nightmares since the incident.

Mrs Yemm said That were opportunities to contain Mr Williams and there was a risk that he was going to commit a serious offence.

She added that information wasn't shared and called for improved communication between different agencies who deal with offenders once they are released from prison.