Killamarsh ‘murders’: Dad ‘totally broken’ after losing ‘happiest girl in the whole world’
A DAD who lost his daughter in the Killamarsh sleepover massacre is “totally broken”, his brother says. Chris Gent described niece Connie as the “happiest girl in the world” but the 11-year-old was brutally murdered along with Lacey Bennet and her friend’s mum and brother. Lacey Bennett, also 11, her 13-year-old brother John and their […]
A DAD who lost his daughter in the Killamarsh sleepover massacre is “totally broken”, his brother says.
Chris Gent described niece Connie as the “happiest girl in the world” but the 11-year-old was brutally murdered along with Lacey Bennet and her friend’s mum and brother.
Lacey Bennett, also 11, her 13-year-old brother John and their mum Terri Harris, 35, died in Sunday’s horror, which has rocked the close-knit community in Derbyshire.
Chris, the older brother of Connie’s dad Charlie Gent, 31, told The Sun Online: “Our entire family is destroyed.
“No parent or anyone should ever have to go through such a horrific ordeal.
“Charlie is totally broken. He is devastated. He can’t believe he will never see his daughter again.”
It has claimed that Lacey and John may have been found in the house, while Connie was possibly found outside after trying to flee.
A horrified local claims neighbours heard screaming coming from the property on Saturday at around 8pm but police were not called.
In an emotional tribute to his niece, Chris sobbed: “Connie was the sweetest, most lovely girl. She was the happiest girl in the whole world.
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“She was beautiful and she was Charlie’s little star.”
A 31-year-old man, named locally as Damien Bendall, was arrested on suspicion of murder after being found under a tree.
The suspect, who police revealed had been treated in hospital with self-inflicted injures after his arrest, tonight remains in custody.
Connie had excitedly stayed with Lacey at the council home in Killamarsh she shared with her brother, mum and her boyfriend.
Speaking from his home in Sheffield, South Yorks, Chris said how he struggles to comprehend how an innocent child could go on a sleepover and never come home again.
“None of us can understand how anybody could do this. We’re sickened,” he said.
‘SWEETEST, MOST LOVELY GIRL’
“How can you go on a sleepover and end up dead? It’s the stuff we used to do as kids all the time. It’s senseless.”
Connie lived with her mum, who had been separated for a while from her dad Charlie, lost her grandma last year.
“Her grandad, our dad, knows what happened and is so upset and in a state of shock. Charlie is angry, angry that anyone would do this to his little girl.”
While he didn’t know Lacey, John and Terri he said: “We are devastated for that family too.”
Jason Bennett, the dad of the tragic siblings, has called for the death penalty to be brought back in a social media post.
Connie’s uncle agreed, saying: “Yes, I agree with that, re-introduce the death penalty for killers.”
It is has since been claimed Terri was in the early stages of pregnancy at the time of her death.
‘SENSELESS’
Bendall also reportedly told his mother about the pregnancy “in recent weeks”.
Tributes have continued to flood in for the victims today including from Connie’s dad Charlie, who posted a touching video montage.
He captioned it “I love you angel”.
Jason Bennett yesterday sobbed as he lay flowers for the youngsters at the scene.
He also posted heartbreaking videos of the siblings enjoying their time together.
Well-wishers have now raised more than £15,000 on a fundraising site to help the families.
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