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Funeral for mother and sons murdered at Pudsey home | Funeral for mother and sons murdered at Pudsey home |
(about 4 hours later) | |
The funeral has taken place of a mother and her two sons who were murdered at their home in Leeds. | |
It is thought Richard Smith, 37, stabbed his wife Clair and two sons, Ben, nine, and Aaron, one, before taking his own life on 11 December. | It is thought Richard Smith, 37, stabbed his wife Clair and two sons, Ben, nine, and Aaron, one, before taking his own life on 11 December. |
Police started an investigation after the family were found together on a bed in a fire-damaged bedroom at their house on Sheridan Way, Pudsey. | Police started an investigation after the family were found together on a bed in a fire-damaged bedroom at their house on Sheridan Way, Pudsey. |
The service for Mrs Smith and her sons was held at Rawdon Crematorium, Leeds. | |
Leeds Coroner David Hinchliff confirmed that Aaron and his mother died from stab wounds and that Ben Smith was suffocated. He had also been stabbed. | |
Richard Smith died from smoke inhalation. | |
Relatives have described the Smiths as a "perfect family". | Relatives have described the Smiths as a "perfect family". |
In a statement, Mrs Smith's parents Alan and Norma Robinson said: "Clair was an exceptional person, loving and caring to everyone. | In a statement, Mrs Smith's parents Alan and Norma Robinson said: "Clair was an exceptional person, loving and caring to everyone. |
"She was a loving mum, her children were her life and everything centred around her family and home. | "She was a loving mum, her children were her life and everything centred around her family and home. |
"She was our daughter and our best pal. We cannot imagine what caused this tragedy." | "She was our daughter and our best pal. We cannot imagine what caused this tragedy." |
Friends said Mr Smith had worked for a shopfitting firm as a designer and had been a coach for a local football club. | Friends said Mr Smith had worked for a shopfitting firm as a designer and had been a coach for a local football club. |
They said the family had appeared to have no problems and they could not understand what had happened. | They said the family had appeared to have no problems and they could not understand what had happened. |