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Alice Gross memorial service held Alice Gross memorial service held
(about 1 hour later)
A memorial ceremony for 14-year-old Alice Gross has taken place in Greenford, west London. The parents of murdered schoolgirl Alice Gross have spoken of their huge loss at an emotional memorial service for their daughter.
Alice went missing on 28 August and her body was found wrapped and weighted down in the River Brent a month later. Ros Hodgkiss and Jose Gross spoke to hundreds of well-wishers who had queued in driving rain to attend service in Greenford, west London.
At her funeral last week her family said it would use the memorial at Greenford Town Hall to thank local people for their support. Alice went missing on 28 August. Her body was found in the River Brent a month later.
During the hunt for Alice, the area was festooned with yellow ribbons and posters appealing for help. Her family thanked local people were for their help in the hunt for Alice.
'Numbed by shock'
The service included two songs recorded by Alice herself, including 'Hallelujah' by Leonard Cohen, which left many people in tears.
Her mother told the congregation of about 500 people: "I have been numbed by shock and grief, I have felt outrage and anger at the loss of her life and unbelievable sadness at the emptiness that has been left.
"I have wracked my brains for all the 'what ifs' of that day, anything that might have stopped this random, incomprehensible tragedy.
"It is even harder to talk about that pain than it is to talk about Alice. I cannot imagine life without Alice."
'Ribbon fairies''Ribbon fairies'
The celebration was led by Caroline Black, a humanist celebrant who also presided over Alice's funeral, and included music, poetry and speeches.The celebration was led by Caroline Black, a humanist celebrant who also presided over Alice's funeral, and included music, poetry and speeches.
A number of poems were read, including one written by Brian Clark about the yellow ribbons of hope and 'Surprised by Joy' by William Wordsworth, in which the poet describes the loss of his own daughter. A number of poems were read, including one written by Brian Clark about the yellow ribbons of hope which were placed around the area while the search for Alice took place.
Ahead of the service, Alice's parents said they were particularly keen for the "ribbon fairies" and those who tended flowers at Hanwell Clock Tower to attend.
The leader of Ealing Council, Julian Bell, thanked volunteers who "bathed our borough in yellow".
The family said in a statement: "We have been moved by the depth of sympathy and compassion around us, not only from close family and friends but also from the local community."The family said in a statement: "We have been moved by the depth of sympathy and compassion around us, not only from close family and friends but also from the local community."
Alice's parents said they were particularly keen for the "ribbon fairies" who tied yellow ribbons of hope across the borough and those who tended flowers at Hanwell Clock Tower to attend.
Representatives from Ealing Half Marathon and sport clubs including Hanwell Town FC, Hanwell RFC, Brentford FC, Ealing RFC, Chelsea FC and QPR FC were also invited.Representatives from Ealing Half Marathon and sport clubs including Hanwell Town FC, Hanwell RFC, Brentford FC, Ealing RFC, Chelsea FC and QPR FC were also invited.
Ealing Council said Alice's family had asked that no further flowers, or other tributes, were left at Hanwell Clock Tower because displays will be removed from Monday.Ealing Council said Alice's family had asked that no further flowers, or other tributes, were left at Hanwell Clock Tower because displays will be removed from Monday.
Leader of Ealing Council, Julian Bell, thanked volunteers who "bathed our borough in yellow".
A tribute page with Youth Music has been set up to support disadvantaged children, in recognition of her love of music.A tribute page with Youth Music has been set up to support disadvantaged children, in recognition of her love of music.
A post-mortem examination into Alice's cause of death proved inconclusive and more tests are being carried out.A post-mortem examination into Alice's cause of death proved inconclusive and more tests are being carried out.
Police are currently investigating her murder. The inquest has been adjourned until 29 January next year.Police are currently investigating her murder. The inquest has been adjourned until 29 January next year.