A student whose mother and 13-year-old brother were stabbed to death in Stourbridge, West Midlands, has spoken of the family’s devastation as she visited the scene to lay flowers in their memory.
Lydia Wilkinson was comforted by her boyfriend and his parents as she read dozens of message cards on floral tributes left by friends of her mother, Tracey, and brother, Pierce.
Aaron Barley, a 23-year-old homeless man, has been charged with double murder and the attempted murder of Wilkinson’s father, Peter, who suffered stab wounds and remains in hospital.
Lydia, a student at Bristol University, confirmed that her family had “assisted” Barley in the past year but said he never lived at their home. The 18-year-old laid a purple bouquet among the scores of flowers and tributes left by friends against walls on both sides of a police tent outside their home.
After her visit on Sunday morning, Lydia issued a statement paying tribute to her mother and brother. It said: “Our family are devastated at the loss of Tracey and Pierce. They were extremely loved by all of their family and friends. Pierce was a fun-loving, friendly and happy boy, who loved computer games and made everyone smile.
“Tracey was loving, caring and a wonderful mother and daughter. Always putting others before herself. The family did not provide refuge for homeless people and Aaron Barley had never lived at the family home but had been assisted by the family in the past 12 months.
“We would like to express our gratitude to the emergency services, and to thank hospital staff for their excellent care. We would appreciate privacy and respect during this distressing time.”
Lydia and her grandparents have been keeping vigil at Peter Wilkinson’s hospital bedside. The student reportedly texted a friend to say: “Dad will be okay, it’s serious, but Dad will be okay.”
A friend told the Sunday Times: “Lydia has amazed everyone with her courage. She is going to issue a full statement on Sunday. We can’t believe how strong she has been.”
Pierce was in year eight at Redhill school. Stephen Dunster, the headteacher, said the boy had “met everyone with a smile” and would be missed. “He was a loving son and brother. Our thoughts and prayers remain with his family, in particular his father Peter and his sister Lydia,” Dunster said.
Tracey Wilkinson, 50, was pronounced dead at her home in Greyhound Lane, Stourbridge, after suffering stab injuries, while her son died after being taken to hospital.
They were found injured when emergency services attended their home at about 8am on Thursday.
Barley was not asked to enter pleas when he appeared before magistrates in Birmingham on Saturday. He is due to appear at the city’s crown court on Monday.
