Georgia Williams: Family say now is time to grieve on third anniversary of her murder

Speaking on the third anniversary of the 17-year-old's death, Lynnette and Steve Williams said they hoped the family would have time to reflect, following the conclusion of investigations into the circumstances of the crime.

Last year, Lynnette took over as chairman of the Georgia Williams Trust and says that they are now seeing a leap forward in the good work being done by the charity.

Lynnette and Steve last saw their 17-year-old daughter Georgia three years ago today.

She left home that day to go and visit her friend Jamie Reynolds. She was never seen again, and five days later her body was found in Nant-y-Garth, near Wrexham.

Reynolds, now 25, of Avondale Road, Wellington, was given a whole-life sentence after admitting the murder. An appeal against the sentence last year failed.

To mark the anniversary, Steve has also written a poignant poem, describing life without their "young, free spirited girl".

Remember Georgia

By Steve Williams

Remember me on the 26th of May – the day my life was taken away. I could have been saved, but no-one cared, of the danger that the victims shared.

Remember me with a tear in your eye for I did not need to die, but was failed by uncaring fools in years gone by.

Remember me on Christmas Eve when Santa no more his presents leave – for I am not there to receive surprise as family grieves with tears in eyes.

Remember me on New Year's Eve when "Happy New Year" you all receive. No Happy New Year anymore, just darkened house no light at door.

Remember the 'cruel' that took my flowers, whose minds are evil not kind like ours. There not to offend, or cause animosity, but to remind with bright blue and orange that was special to me.

Remember me for my sparkling eyes, outgoing ways and beautiful smile – for my caring ways and humanity that not for long could be shared by me.

Remember me throughout the year, when the 8th of September draws near. Twenty one years I will not see, but if things could change Dad would swap with me. So remember me as seventeen – a young, free spirited girl, and what might have been.

The end of last year saw the publication of a serious case review into the handling of Reynolds in the years before and a report by Devon and Cornwall Police into the actions of police involved with him following a previous attack on another young girl.

Both reports criticised those in contact with Reynolds – including West Mercia Police Force, mental health services and social workers – for failing to act on signs that he was a danger to others.

Lynnette said that the conclusions of the two investigations now meant they had time to move forward with the positive work of the trust.

She said: "For us as a family the last two years have been thinking about questions we want answered and then something else would come up and we would have to think about questions about that.

"We've had no time to reflect but hopefully it is our time now.

"Now we have got that all out of the way, we can properly start to grieve."

Tonight, friends of Georgia will head to Bowring Park to remember their friend.

Lynnette added: "The kids have really kept us going because they have always stayed in contact.

"It is lovely that they will be remembering Georgia but for us it is also very sad because she should be out there with them somewhere."