Elle Edwards’ father says Christmas will ‘never be the same’ – as hundreds are expected to line the streets for the funeral | UK News

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The father of Elle Edwards, who was shot and killed in a pub last month, said “Christmas will never be the same” for him and his family.

In his first interview since her death, Tim Edwards spoke about how his “beautiful and caring” daughter with a heart of gold “would never leave him” — reminding people of the impact gun violence had on his family.

Paying tribute to the 26-year-old beautician and dental nurse, Mr Edwards told Sky News: “She’s the kind of person who walks into a room and everyone is drawn to her because she was always smiling.

“She was so good looking and she was such a big hug. She was just such an amazing human being with a heart of gold.”

In an emotional interview ahead of her funeral next week, Mr Edwards speaks of the devastation the family felt on Christmas Eve when they found out she had been murdered and their “struggle” last month.

“Time goes by so fast,” he said.

“In our situation with the developments, Christmas Day didn’t mean anything, it was gone. It didn’t feel real and Christmas would never be the same. Christmas would never be a point of celebration for me, ever.”

Mr. Edwards said Elle remained “the glue that holds us all together” and that her death should not have been in vain.

Elle was shot while partying with friends at the Lighthouse pub in Wallasey village, Wirral, just before midnight on 24 December.

Connor Chapman, 22, has been charged with her murder and a trial date has been set for June 7.

Photo: Elle’s father hopes a foundation in her name will be used for good and help reduce gun violence

Elle’s killing was the fifth shooting in Merseyside since August 2022 and Edwards hopes a foundation in her name will lead to systemic change around gun violence.

“There are no winners in gun crime,” he said.

“If you pick up a gun, your future is over and the future of everyone around you is over. It’s very simple. It’s absolutely pointless and solves nothing.”

“I want to see a positive outcome from this. Elle’s name will be used forever in the future. She cannot be forgotten.”

Image: Mr Edwards says his daughter was a ‘wonderful human being with a heart of gold’

Good memories motivate you.

Mr. Edwards and his daughter spent time walking in the Lake District, as well as climbing, and he said those memories help him grieve.

“They just keep you going, they keep your mind flowing. Good memories motivate you, I can even hear her laughter. It’s emotional and horrible, it really is horrible, but I hope those memories never fade.”

Mr. Edwards said the fact that Elle’s life was brutally cut short at the age of 26 is “the hardest part” because she had so much waiting for her.

“It was just taking off,” he told Sky News.

“She had her focus, she had her own ambitions, she was making them happen and everything was falling into place for her, which is sad.”

Elle’s funeral will be held on January 25 in the city where she grew up, and hundreds are expected to line the streets to pay tribute.

He said “It would be terrible, wouldn’t it? It wouldn’t be nice.”

“But it’s part of the process and it’s something that has to be done. And then we’ll move on to the next thing and move on. But she’ll always be here. She’ll never leave me. She’ll live forever.”

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