''From the moment that we received Greg's phone call on Sunday December 19 until now, time has had no meaning.

''We had a 'bad feeling' from that moment, which deepened when we arrived in Bristol.

''Our lives stopped from the time that we knew Jo was missing.

''So far, the worst time was during the first week, wondering whether Jo would be found.

''Was she alive or dead, and what happened to her? We dreaded going to our graves without knowing.

''In a very strange way, Jo's body being found was a relief.

''Although some questions have been answered, some remain.

''For us it was surprisingly easy to see Jo but there was a deep sadness. It meant we could welcome her back.

''Due to the circumstances, it will probably be some time before Jo can come home.

''We gain a little solace from the fact that the high point in Jo's life was her graduation in November when her life was 'perfect'.

''Our grief and sadness includes the experiences which she missed out on, in terms of family and children, and rising through her profession.

''For us, we will always miss the presence which came with her; hearing her voice, her lightness, and standing back with pride, watching her grow through life.

''Our thoughts and emotions at this time are solely with Jo. We really have little feeling for other things which may be happening.

''We have no doubt that this will change in the future.

''We have been overawed by the amount of support and practical help from people in Bristol - and especially her close friends Emma and Becky.

''We would also like to thank Jo's relatives and friends who set up facilities on websites, which generated an overwhelming level of response.

''We would like to thank everyone personally, but that would be impossible, so please take this as personal thank you to everyone.

''We have received many cards and letters of sympathy. They have all been read.

''They have come from all over, many from people that we have never met. All of them moved us, especially a card in which the sender had written a simple four-line poem.

''In time we will endeavour to reply to those we can.

''We have found the police most considerate in the way we have been treated and kept informed as events have unfolded.

''We continue to give them our full support and help where we can. We are certain that Jo's killer will be caught.

''Jo was taken from us. The method has only intensified our grief.

''She was a beautiful and talented young lady who was destined to fly high.

''Her life was stolen from her and she was stolen from us.''