'Life will never be truly wonderful again'

Lindsay's family said she lived life to the full

The crowds of people gathered outside Coventry Cathedral stood in complete silence as the coffin of murdered Lindsay Ann Hawker was carried inside.

Hundreds of mourners came to pay their respects to the 22-year-old English teacher found strangled in a Tokyo apartment last month.

The cathedral's bells chimed as one by one friends and family slowly made their way into the majestic building behind her coffin adorned in white lilies.

Her family, from Brandon in Warwickshire, made emotional tributes to a "beautiful and principled" girl who they were all proud of.

'Gut-wrenching sadness'

Lindsay's boyfriend, Ryan Garside, told a silent audience how he hoped others would experience the happiness he had with Lindsay.

The pair met within a few weeks of starting at Leeds University and planned to marry and have children.

"Now she is gone, life will never be truly wonderful again," he said.

Lindsay's best friend, Laura Thomson, and former history teacher at King Henry VIII School in Coventry spoke of the fond memories they had of her and of the "gut-wrenching sadness" they now felt.

Lindsay's boyfriend and two sisters paid tearful tributes to her

In emails exchanged with Lindsay, Laura said she said she was having the "time of her life" in Japan and would have made a great teacher.

She added that her best friend of nine years was now her inspiration and would always be in her life.

The service was a celebration and thanksgiving for Lindsay's life and many mourners broke down as the choir from her old school sang the hymn In Paradism, which means Into Paradise.

The Reverend Tim Pullen, of St Margaret's Church in Wolston, near Rugby, spoke of the need for justice after her death which had devastated so many people.

After the service, which was attended by the Japanese Ambassador Yoshiji Nogami and his wife Geraldine, Lindsay's family left for a private burial.

A poem, written by Lindsay's sister Lisa and included in the order of service read: "Goodbye to one of the very best. It is impossible to forget you."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version