The devastated family of murdered teenager Georgia Williams paid a moving tribute to their “gorgeous tomboy” daughter.
Her parents Steve and Lynette Williams and Georgia’s sister Scarlett released the tribute the day after a man appeared in court charged with her murder.
The tragic teen’s body was found in North Wales days after she went missing on May 26 when she is believed to have left the family home in Wellington, Shrops., to attend a photo-shoot.
Jamie Reynolds, 22, was arrested in Glasgow on the morning of May 28 after her disappearance and has been charged with her murder.
A post-mortem result found she had suffered strangulation injuries probably caused by having a ligature wrapped around her throat.
Friends of Georgia, who had dreamed of joining the RAF as a paramedic, gathered on Saturday evening for an emotional tribute to the 17-year-old.
Dad Steve, 56, a serving police officer with West Mercia Police and mum Lynette, 51, said in a joint statement yesterday (Wed): “We are devastated by the events of the past ten days but have taken great comfort from the impact Georgia has clearly had on the lives of so many people.
“We have been blown away by the number of messages we have received and the outpouring of love and support we have been shown.
“Although many tears have been shed – and will continue to be – if anything good can come of this we hope it is that the community spirit that has developed in Wellington over the last week grows even stronger.
“We will be remembering Georgia as she ‘is’ rather than as she ‘was’, and what she is is a fantastic girl who we are blessed to have in our lives.
“We always describe her as a gorgeous tomboy, someone who is much happier dressed up in her Air Cadets uniform rather than dressed in glamorous clothes ready to go out.
“The modelling she has done was to help her sister’s business and the Facebook reference to her being a ‘wannabe model’ is a tongue-in-cheek joke between her and Scarlett relating to this modelling.
“Her ambition has always been to join the Royal Air Force (RAF) and she recently started to look at qualifications that would allow her to join up as a paramedic.
“She was most put out when she discovered she couldn’t join the RAF Regiment, the arm of the RAF of her choice, as they do not admit women and therefore she decided that training as a paramedic is her way of getting to the frontline!
“Georgia is into everything and we couldn’t be prouder of everything she has achieved.
“We are blessed to have her in our lives and the happiness she brings will remain with us forever.”
Georgia’s big sister Scarlett, 23, added: “Georgia is the best little sister you could ever wish for, although it’s fair to say we can annoy each other on a daily basis.
“We are like chalk and cheese. We always joke that I am pink and she is blue because we are into such different things.
“As children I was into ballet while all she wanted to do was go off with the Air Cadets and do outdoor stuff.
“My dad rightly describes her as a gorgeous tomboy – she is a beautiful girl but so much more comfortable covered in mud while dreaming of being in the RAF.
“She would do anything for anyone and I am going to do everything for her from now on.
“She is my little sister but beyond that she will always be my best friend too.”
