IPSWICH: Almost one year on, Des Thorpe’s family is struggling to come to terms with his death.

One of his sisters Eileen Turlington, today told of the impact it has had on their mother, who is in her 80s, and the rest of his family.

Mr Thorpe grew up as one of a family of 11 in Wroxham, Norfolk, and, although Mrs Turlington moved to America when he was only three, the pair kept in touch over the years.

Speaking from her home in North Carolina, Mrs Turlington, 59, said: “I can’t believe this has happened to Des.

“It has devastated my whole family. I really feel sorry for my mother. It plagues her every single day. She really misses Des. It’s a terrible strain for her. Everybody in the family is really missing Des terribly.

“I really hope my brother’s at peace. I look at Des’ beautiful picture on my mantelpiece and I don’t think there is a day that goes by when I don’t cry for him, or put a kiss on his picture and tell him I love him. He meant an awful lot to me even though I was 5,000 miles away.

“During our last phone conversation Des told me about one of his dreams. He wanted to come over and see me. That was a beautiful phone call. Des was just very, very kind. On the phone he was always sweet and always had something nice to say.

“He loved mum and he was always talking about her. Even growing up, Des was a kind-hearted little boy. He was just a good, good kid. I remember him coming up to me and just wanting to be cuddled. He just loved you to hold him. Des wouldn’t hurt a fly.”

Mrs Turlington believes it was a blow too many when Mr Thorpe split from his wife, Debbie, and left their home in Clapgate Lane, Ipswich.

She said: “It devastated Des. He must have been very troubled about his children.

“He absolutely adored his children. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for them. He would give them the shirt off his back. His family came first and meant everything. We had many conversations where he would say how proud he was of his boys.

“I don’t know what set him off on the road he went on. Des never had anything ugly to say about anybody. That’s what surprises me about all of this.

“I go to bed at night and I lie there thinking about this poor woman (Rosie Hunt) and my brother, and wonder what they went through. It really is horrible.

“I don’t know Rosie Hunt’s family, but my heart goes out to them. I don’t know how they live through every day. I think those who did this took advantage of not just Ms Hunt, but also of Des. I don’t think those people were in their right mind to do what they did.

“I hope they get what they deserve for all the stuff they put that poor lady through.

“Where was their compassion? There is something wrong with people who would do such terrible things to somebody. I can’t imagine anyone being so cruel.”