Heartbroken family's tribute (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Heartbroken family's tribute

Hayley's brother Paul RichardsHAYLEY RICHARDS MURDER: THE heartbroken family of Hayley Richards fought back tears this week to pay tribute to a "beautiful young woman who would help anyone".

Looking tired and drawn, Paul and David Richards said on Wednesday their murdered sister Hayley would never walk alone.

Miss Richards, 23, was three months pregnant when she was found with her throat cut at her home in Carders Corner, Trowbridge.

Wiltshire police are hunting her former boyfriend, 23-year-old Hugo Quintas, who fled to Portugal at the weekend and is now believed to be in Spain.

They are also combing Trowbridge for bloodstained clothing and a murder weapon, thought to be a knife.

Since the attack, police have admitted they missed several opportunities to arrest Quintas following an allegation he assaulted Hayley a week earlier.

Senior officers have referred the matter to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Tributes have been pouring in from family, colleagues, and friends, many describing Hayley's vivacious and bubbly personality.

Speaking at a police press conference held in Semington, her grieving brother Paul Richards said the family would never forget Hayley.

Her mother Christine with a floral tributeHe said: "We are a large and close knit family and what has happened to Hayley has devastated us.

"It has broken our mum's heart. She was our beautiful baby sister and will always be precious to us and we will always miss her.

"She was loved so much not only by her family but by everyone who knew her.

"We still cannot believe that Hayley is dead and you will never understand what a wonderful person she was."

Miss Richards was a pupil at the John of Gaunt School in Trowbridge where she was a bright and popular girl.

She had worked in Trowbridge in Argos, the Red or White restaurant, the Lamb pub and Terry's nightclub.

Emotions in Trowbridge have been running high since her death, but Mr Richards pleaded with Hayley's grieving friends not to vent their frustration over her death.

He said: "Hayley was a lovely person, she would not have wanted anyone to seek retribution for what has happened to her. She would have wanted the appropriate action to be taken by the appropriate authority, in this case, the Wiltshire Constabulary.

"If you want to help Hayley, then please support the police in their efforts to bring the person or persons responsible for this atrocity to justice.

"As a family, we appeal to anyone with information to come forward and assist the police in their investigation.

"Hayley, from everyone who loved you, you will never walk alone."