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Murdered Alice Gross's funeral takes place | Murdered Alice Gross's funeral takes place |
(about 1 hour later) | |
On the day of murdered schoolgirl Alice Gross's funeral, her family said they found it "impossible to understand" what had happened to the "spirited" 14-year-old. | |
The teenager went missing from her Hanwell home on 28 August. Her body was found hidden in the River Brent on 30 September. | |
The family paid tribute to her in a ceremony which was "full of music". | |
A funeral procession also passed through Hanwell before the service. | |
In a statement, Alice's family said: "Alice was so spirited, so present, so vital and so full of promise. | |
"We find it almost impossible to understand what has happened and that we have to say goodbye to her. | "We find it almost impossible to understand what has happened and that we have to say goodbye to her. |
"We want Alice's funeral to focus on the joy of Alice's life and the joy of having known her." | "We want Alice's funeral to focus on the joy of Alice's life and the joy of having known her." |
Scotland Yard said the hunt for Alice was its biggest search operation since the July 7 bombings. The prime suspect was found hanged on 4 October. | Scotland Yard said the hunt for Alice was its biggest search operation since the July 7 bombings. The prime suspect was found hanged on 4 October. |
'Love of nature' | 'Love of nature' |
In Hanwell, candles and flowers have been placed around the clock tower in tribute to the schoolgirl. | In Hanwell, candles and flowers have been placed around the clock tower in tribute to the schoolgirl. |
Traffic came to a standstill and locals came out to pay their respects as the cortege went past. | |
The teenager's coffin was decorated with patterns, which depicted a meadow scene and Alice's three cats, painted by her grandmother and a family friend because Alice loved nature. | |
The family said the funeral service was a humanist ceremony and featured videos of Alice playing and singing songs she wrote herself. | |
There were tributes from her teachers, parents and sister and the congregation sang "You are my Sunshine". | There were tributes from her teachers, parents and sister and the congregation sang "You are my Sunshine". |
The family also thanked members of the public for their support. | |
A public memorial ceremony will be held for Alice on 2 November at Greenford Town Hall. | A public memorial ceremony will be held for Alice on 2 November at Greenford Town Hall. |
A tribute page was also set up with money to be donated to the National Foundation for Youth Music in Alice's memory, as she was a keen musician. | |
The charity said it was "honoured and grateful" to be chosen by the Gross family. | The charity said it was "honoured and grateful" to be chosen by the Gross family. |
Prime suspect Arnis Zalkalns' body was found in Boston Manor Park. | Prime suspect Arnis Zalkalns' body was found in Boston Manor Park. |
The Latvian national was reported missing from his Ealing home on 3 September. | The Latvian national was reported missing from his Ealing home on 3 September. |
It is believed Mr Zalkalns came to the UK in 2007, but authorities here are thought to have had no record of his murder conviction and seven-year prison sentence for bludgeoning and stabbing his wife. | It is believed Mr Zalkalns came to the UK in 2007, but authorities here are thought to have had no record of his murder conviction and seven-year prison sentence for bludgeoning and stabbing his wife. |
A review of how the case was handled is being carried out by Scotland Yard. | A review of how the case was handled is being carried out by Scotland Yard. |
Inquests into both deaths have been opened and adjourned, as investigations into the case continue. |