The heartbroken family of a 22-year-old girl who was found dead on Saturday paid a moving tribute to her last night – describing her as “beautiful inside and out”.
Jodie Josè, from Colchester, died after she was discovered in her car at Great Bentley railway station in the early hours.
She was taken to Colchester General Hospital but medics could not save her. Her death is not being treated as suspicious.
Last night, her devastated family said Jodie “couldn’t see herself as the wonderful person every one else could.”
They said she was “funny, kind and caring”, and want her to be remembered for the joy she brought to others every day.
The former pupil of Colne Community School in Brightlingsea, who worked at the Sudbury branch of Santander, was extremely well liked and enjoyed going to the gym and socialising with friends.
Essex Police had issued an appeal to help find Jodie shortly after she was reported missing on Friday night.
A police spokesman said she had not been seen by her family since Friday morning.
Last night, her family - mother Betty, father Paul and sister Stacey - issued a moving tribute.
It read: “We can’t thank everyone enough for your kind words and all the support we have received.
“Anyone who was lucky enough to know Jodie would have known what a beautiful person she was inside and out.
“We want Jodie to be remembered for the joy she brought to those around her every day and for her funny, kind, caring and fun loving personality.
“Jodie was a gift to us all for 22 years and there will forever be a part missing in our hearts without her.
“We are completely devastated and absolutely heartbroken that she felt the way she did and couldn’t see herself as the wonderful person every one else could.
“She has the most amazing friends who love her dearly and a family who will be forever lost without her. The only comfort is knowing she is now at peace. Rest in peace our darling angel.”
An inquest is expected to be held into her death.
“If you didn’t know Jodie then I feel sorry for you”
Tributes to Jodie poured in from around the world over the weekend after sister Stacey Saville shared the news of her death with hundreds of Facebook friends.
School friends, work colleagues from the Sudbury branch of Santander and customers who knew Jodie took to the social networking site to share memories and offer condolences to the family.
Flowers and cards with personal messages lined the gates outside Great Bentley railway station, where Jodie was found in her car in the early hours of Saturday morning.
One tribute read: “I lost one of my favourite people today I can’t describe the sadness in my heart Jodie Josè always put a smile on my face just being silly together and messing around.
“She always helped me take life less seriously. If you didn’t know Jodie then I feel sorry for you because she brought me so much happiness.
“She would say I’m her big brother she was so cute I just wanted to protect her all the time. I love you loads little sis I will miss you so much!”
Another friend said: “So this morning I wake up to the terribly sad news. It makes you realise that you should hold the people you love very closely and make the most of the time you have with them. My heart goes out to Jodie Josè’s family and friends and loved ones a sad for the world to lose such a beautiful smile but a happy one for heaven RIP X.”
One of her friends, from Sydney in Australia, added: “Life is far too short. My heart goes out to your family and friends. May you rest in peace Jodie Josè so much love xxx.”
Another tribute read: “You were one of my childhood best friends. It’s broken my heart to find you’re no longer with us and that heaven has gained an angel, at least we know you’re finally at peace. Thoughts are with your family and friends.
Jodie Josè you were such a wonderful, happy girl.”
Another friend said: “Absolutely devastated, I really can’t believe this has happened. I’m going to miss you, you beautiful girl! Love you so much Jodie Josè!! Rest in piece gorgeous.”
One tribute read: “Absolutely shocked to find out a friend from England has passed away. Such a beautiful kind young girl gone too soon. Rest in peace Jodie Josè thoughts are with your close friends and family who I know will be so devastated xx.”
If you knew Jodie and would like to pay tribute to her, please email newsroom@archant.co.uk.
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