Hundreds gather for church services

Hundreds of friends and neighbours gathered at two churches last night to share their sorrow over the deaths of Vicki and Andrew Case and their two daughters Phoebe and Nereya.

A minute’s silence at both St Mary’s Church in Fordingbridge and St Aldhelm’s Church in neighbouring Sandleheath saw crowds of people come together to reflect on the tragedy which had rocked the close-knit New Forest communities exactly seven days earlier.

Prayers, hymns, music and the lighting of candles in both churches saw many residents break down in tears as the shock and confusion over the family’s death resurfaced.

It is believed that Andrew, 33, stabbed Vicki, 31, his wife of ten years before hanging himself at their home in Fordingbridge. It is not yet known how two-year-old Phoebe and 18-month-old Nereya died.

At St Mary’s parish church, near the family’s home in Provost Street, the half-hour service was conducted by the Rev Peter Murphy who said the deaths had “torn the heart out of” the market town on the banks of the River Avon.

He added that people had wanted to speak of their overwhelming sense of sadness, adding: “I’ve had to deal with tragic deaths but, in 43 years, nothing like this. How could it happen here?

“Everybody is expressing disbelief and horror. It’s rocked the place. People have been so concerned about the families involved. They have wanted to speak of Vicki’s vitality and caring nature.”

Mourners included Fordingbridge mayor Councillor Malcolm Connolly and Ringwood and Fordingbridge police chief Inspector James Douglas.

Rita Tilson, a near neighbour of the Case family, was joined by her husband Dave and said the couple only found out about the tragedy after returning from holiday.

“They were a nice couple, good neighbours and I saw them every day. Their little one had just started walking,” she said.

“I keep asking myself ‘why?’ It’s so, so sad and a tragedy I will never forget.”

She recalled how she had regularly fed the ducks in the stream outside their doors with Vicki. There had been no signs of trouble the last time she had seen the Case family; they appeared happy and were looking forward to their holiday in Weymouth.

Rita was among the quiet congregation who trickled out of the light-flooded church into the warm evening sunshine, still questioning how such a terrible tragedy could have happened to such a lovely family.

Her sentiments were shared by those who have left 80 bouquets outside the Case family’s home along with soft toys.

Toys and flowers placed by mourners at St Mary’s Church.

One message read: “May you all rest. The turmoil must have been terrible for this to happen. God will love to look after the children.”

In Sandleheath more than 100 people filled St Aldhelm’s Church where both the Case girls had been baptised and close to where Vicki, 31, ran a popular playgroup.

Inside the Rev John Towler told the congregation how it was a service to reflect and remember them through “silence, music and prayer”.

It is believed that the family’s relatives were too upset to attend.

Rev John Towler and the Rev Tracy Robinson took it in turns to read prayers and a special poem called Walking With Grief by George McDonald. The service ended with a blessing after which mourners lit candles at the front of the church.

Following the service, the Rev Towler said “It is a pretty dark time for many, many people.

“We didn’t know if we would have five people here or 50. It has hit everybody hard and they are sharing their grief.

“I think the church has a place in society to provide a space for people just to come and be.”

Vicki’s mother, 56-year-old Linda Haskell, found her daughter lying on the dining room floor on Monday morning.

It is believed the girls were found side-by-side under a duvet on their parents’ double bed, with their father hanging from a beam nearby.

Neighbours heard Mrs Haskell, who looked after the children on a Monday, screaming in the street: “My babies are dead. They’re all dead.”

Police are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths but it has been reported that the couple were struggling with £7,000 of credit card debts on top of other out- goings.

So far post-mortem examinations have revealed that Vicki died from stab wounds while Andrew died from ligature suspension.

Examinations of both the girls proved inconclusive and officers are now awaiting the results of toxicology tests.

Southampton coroner Keith Wiseman was due to open the inquest into the deaths today.