FAMILY tributes have been paid to a former Colchester woman who was shot dead at her home in the West Country.

James Hore

FAMILY tributes have been paid to a former Colchester woman who was shot dead at her home in the West Country.

Beverley Shears and her partner Andrew Pawlowski were found dead at his mother's home in Dousland, near Plymouth - both had been shot.

Devon and Cornwall Police are investigating the double-death of the retained firefighters and detectives recovered a number of weapons, including a Smith and Wesson magnum pistol and a spent round of ammunition at the property.

Since the killings, it has emerged mother-of-two Ms Shears' grew up in Colchester before marrying a soldier and moving to the West Country where they divorced.

Her brother Gary Fairbrother, who lives in Colchester, has paid tribute to his sister, who was 43.

He said the family had been left devastated by events of last Thursday.

The retained firefighter had five brothers and four sisters who described her as a “lovable and happy-go-lucky woman who would be missed by all who knew her”.

Speaking on behalf of his entire family, the 47-year-old said: “We're completely devastated by this terrible tragedy. It comes as a shock to all of us. It's still so early.

“She was a lovable, happy-go-lucky person who would help anybody and she will be sadly missed by all of her family, especially her mum and dad.

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“We couldn't have asked for a better daughter or sister. She was loved by us all and she loved all of us. She was the type of person who got on with anybody.”

Devon and Cornwall Police have confirmed they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths.

Vicar the Revd Nick Shutt offered special prayers in the open air at St Paul's church in Yelverton, Devon, on Sunday for “all those caught up in the tragedy”.

Mr Shutt said: “There's been a great sense of sadness in the community as a result of the loss of life, a great sense of shock.”

james.hore@eadt.co.uk