GRIEVING parents have paid an emotional tribute to their “wonderful, vibrant and beautiful” teenage daughter who was found dead at her Suffolk home.The body of Rebecca Rice, of The Street, Pettistree, near Wickham Market, was discovered in the kitchen of her flat at around 2pm on Sunday.

GRIEVING parents have paid an emotional tribute to their “wonderful, vibrant and beautiful” teenage daughter who was found dead at her Suffolk home.

The body of Rebecca Rice, of The Street, Pettistree, near Wickham Market, was discovered in the kitchen of her flat at around 2pm on Sunday.

The results of a post mortem revealed the 18-year-old had sustained at least one stab wound, although police have refused to say whether there were any more.

Yesterday 33-year-old Stuart Adcock, believed to be her boyfriend and living at the same address, was remanded in custody after appearing before magistrates in Lowestoft charged with Miss Rice's murder.

In a statement released by Suffolk police, Miss Rice's parents, Patrick and Anne, who live in the Letheringham area, near Wickham Market, said they would love and miss her for the rest of their days.

“We have lost our wonderful, vibrant and beautiful daughter Rebecca and for a reason we shall never comprehend or come to terms with,” they said.

“Rebecca was a kind, loving person, who loved her horse Bobby, her dog Twinkle and of course her family and friends.

“She was an amazingly popular person and her personality and spirit touched the lives of so many people.”

Miss Rice had been a student at Thomas Mills High School, in Framlingham, from year 7 until she left the sixth form earlier this year with AS levels in Biology, Economics, English Language and Geography.

John Jennings, head of sixth form, said: “Rebecca had decided to take some time in employment before continuing with her education. A popular student, Rebecca had been elected as a House Captain in her lower sixth year.

“Rebecca lived life to the full, she was a talented athlete and had represented both the school and a local athletics club and was a promising horsewoman, competing for Finn Valley Riding Club.

“Everyone associated with the school extends their sincere condolences to Rebecca's family at this very difficult time.”

James Smith, chairman of the Fynn Valley Riding Club, said Miss Rice was a very active member of the organisation and took part in events throughout the county.

He said: “It has all come as a huge shock. The riding community is very close and we have been hit hard by this extremely sad news.

“Rebecca, along with her mother, was a very keen member of the riding club and you would often see them out competing together as a family.”

A statement was also released yesterday by the Rev Betty Mockford, priest in charge of benefice, which includes Pettistree and the Charsfield group of parishes.

It said: “We were greatly saddened to hear of the death of Rebecca Rice. Rebecca's mother and father, Anne and Ric , are longstanding and very active members of the church community in the area and we are offering our prayers and support to the whole family at this very difficult time.”

It is thought the address where Miss Rice's body was discovered - a Grade II-listed two-bedroom flat, in The White House, Main Road, Pettistree, - had only been rented out for the past few weeks.

The alarm was raised after police received a call leading to concerns for her welfare but officers have refused to say who made the call, although they confirmed it did not come from a passer-by or from inside the house where she was found.

They have also declined to discuss whether a weapon has been recovered.

Scenes of crime officers returned to the house on Monday to complete their investigations for the inquiry, which is being headed by Detective Chief Inspector John Quinton.

The road had been cordoned off since Sunday afternoon while forensic officers checked the premises thoroughly.

Mr Adcock's family, who live in Purfleet, said last night they were too shocked to comment.

n Appearing in court yesterday, dressed in a grey tracksuit top and bottoms and wearing glasses, Adcock spoke only to confirm his name.

He did not enter a plea and the case was adjourned until August 17, when he will appear at Ipswich Crown Court for a preliminary hearing.

Adcock is alleged to have killed Ms Rice between Friday August 4 and Sunday August 6.

He was arrested by police in Norfolk on Sunday and taken to Great Yarmouth police station but was later transferred to Lowestoft where he was questioned by officers and charged on Monday night.