THE FAMILY of a 20-year-old woman killed in Stratford have spoken of their devastating loss as a murder investigation continues.
Bethany Marie Hill was found with what police have only described as neck wounds at an address in Hertford Road on Wednesday (February 3).
Emergency services were called to the flat around 7pm but Bethany was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.
Paying tribute this week, Bethany’s family said her death had left them all ‘absolutely devastated.’
Their statement read: “Beth – a loving daughter, sister and auntie – was a source of great joy and laughter. She was very bubbly with a heart of gold.
“Her laugh is something we will never forget. She loved baking, music, fashion and make-up and she treasured the times she spent with her family. Her family were so important and everyone who knew her loved her.
“This has sent a shockwave through the family and we are all absolutely devastated. Rest in peace Beth until we meet again, we will always love you.”
Bethany’s brother, Jason Hill and his partner Emma, added: “Beth had an amazing ability to bring fun and excitement into our lives.
“She was devoted to our two children and her love and care for them is testament to the fine and wonderful young woman she was. Our loss and grief feels too heavy to bear.”
Others have taken to Facebook to pay their respects on a special ‘RIP Bethany Marie Hill’ page.
Two town residents – 22-year-old Kayleigh Louise Woods and 20-year-old Jack Williams – were arrested and charged with Bethany’s murder in the days following her death.
Woods, of Hertford Road, and Williams, of Redlands Crescent, went before magistrates in Leamington earlier this week.
They then appeared at Warwick Crown Court on Tuesday (February 9) – Williams via a television link from Glen Parva Young Offenders’ Institute – with both speaking only to confirm their names and addresses.
No applications were made for bail and Judge Richard Griffith-Jones remanded the pair in custody to re-appear in court on April 26.
Although no indication was given on what pleas the pair will enter, it is anticipated they will deny the murder charge with a trial likely to take place in August.
A search of an address in Brookfield Court was undertaken as part of the murder investigation and forensic teams have been on site while police have stepped up patrols in the area in the wake of Bethany’s death.
It is the second murder investigation to be carried out in the town within eight months following the death of Tristram Wallace in June last year.
Four people are set to stand trial accused of the 36-year-old’s murder on April 5.
