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Josie Russell marks 21st birthday Josie Russell marks 21st birthday
(about 4 hours later)
Josie Russell, who survived a hammer attack which killed her mother and sister, has spoken of her hopes for the future as she turns 21.Josie Russell, who survived a hammer attack which killed her mother and sister, has spoken of her hopes for the future as she turns 21.
She was nine in 1996 when she was left for dead by Michael Stone after he killed Dr Lin Russell, 45, and her youngest daughter, Megan, six, in Kent.She was nine in 1996 when she was left for dead by Michael Stone after he killed Dr Lin Russell, 45, and her youngest daughter, Megan, six, in Kent.
Josie, who suffered serious head injuries, moved back to Gwynedd with her father to rebuild their lives.Josie, who suffered serious head injuries, moved back to Gwynedd with her father to rebuild their lives.
She is reunited with doctors and police in a BBC One documentary next Tuesday.She is reunited with doctors and police in a BBC One documentary next Tuesday.
In the programme made by BBC Wales, Josie pieces together the tragic events of her past and returns to the London hospital to meet Dr Marian Crouchman, the consultant who assessed her when she was first admitted.In the programme made by BBC Wales, Josie pieces together the tragic events of her past and returns to the London hospital to meet Dr Marian Crouchman, the consultant who assessed her when she was first admitted.
She also meets the police officers Edwin Tingley and Pauline Hobson-Smith who spent more than two years gathering evidence about the attack that left her traumatised and unable to speak for months.She also meets the police officers Edwin Tingley and Pauline Hobson-Smith who spent more than two years gathering evidence about the attack that left her traumatised and unable to speak for months.
I just want to think about the good memories of Lin and Megan and mostly about the future and now Josie RussellI just want to think about the good memories of Lin and Megan and mostly about the future and now Josie Russell
On the day of the murders, her father, Dr Shaun Russell, was told that he had lost his whole family.On the day of the murders, her father, Dr Shaun Russell, was told that he had lost his whole family.
It was only when a policeman at the scene noticed Josie move that it was realised she survived the attack.It was only when a policeman at the scene noticed Josie move that it was realised she survived the attack.
After the killings, Josie and her father returned to the Nantlle valley in Gwynedd, where the family had been living before the move to Kent.After the killings, Josie and her father returned to the Nantlle valley in Gwynedd, where the family had been living before the move to Kent.
Josie went to the local Welsh-medium primary school and learnt to speak again. She is now a student at Bangor's Coleg Menai, in the final year of a foundation degree in art and design.Josie went to the local Welsh-medium primary school and learnt to speak again. She is now a student at Bangor's Coleg Menai, in the final year of a foundation degree in art and design.
Josie's mother Lin and sister Megan were murdered by Michael StoneJosie's mother Lin and sister Megan were murdered by Michael Stone
She owns her own home, has a steady boyfriend, and is involved with various overseas charities.She owns her own home, has a steady boyfriend, and is involved with various overseas charities.
In 2006, she won a campaigner of the year award for her work with wildlife charity the Born Free Foundation for helping release three circus lions into a reserve in Africa.In 2006, she won a campaigner of the year award for her work with wildlife charity the Born Free Foundation for helping release three circus lions into a reserve in Africa.
The One Life programe next week looks at her journey since that day in July 1996.The One Life programe next week looks at her journey since that day in July 1996.
She said: "What happened to me in the past, it can't bring Lin and Megan back.She said: "What happened to me in the past, it can't bring Lin and Megan back.
"I've never really wanted to talk about it because I was only nine at the time, but now I think I'm ready to find out more about what happened to me and how it affected who I am today."I've never really wanted to talk about it because I was only nine at the time, but now I think I'm ready to find out more about what happened to me and how it affected who I am today.
Josie is in the final year of a college art courseJosie is in the final year of a college art course
"It's been really good filling in the gaps and meeting people like the doctor and Ed and Pauline."It's been really good filling in the gaps and meeting people like the doctor and Ed and Pauline.
"But I don't want to go to Kent again or talk about Michael Stone because there's no point. The only thing I do think about is why did he do it, if he did."But I don't want to go to Kent again or talk about Michael Stone because there's no point. The only thing I do think about is why did he do it, if he did.
"I just want to think about the good memories of Lin and Megan and mostly about the future and now.""I just want to think about the good memories of Lin and Megan and mostly about the future and now."
Stone, 47, was given three life sentences in 2001 and has been told he and must serve at least 25 years in jail.Stone, 47, was given three life sentences in 2001 and has been told he and must serve at least 25 years in jail.
He has mounted two appeals against his conviction and later tried to block the publication of the report into his care before the murders.He has mounted two appeals against his conviction and later tried to block the publication of the report into his care before the murders.
Josie's Journey: One Life, Tuesday, April 1, BBC One, 22.35 BSTJosie's Journey: One Life, Tuesday, April 1, BBC One, 22.35 BST