'WE'll NEVER BE THE SAME'
Elle Edwards’ heartbroken dad pays tribute to daughter as cops hunt for dark Mercedes and weapons
ELLE Edwards' family have said they will "miss her forever" at a press conference after her tragic death in a pub shooting on Christmas Eve.
A statement from her father, Tim, said that there was "no one as beautiful" as Elle and that life will "never be the same" without her.
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The statement, read out by Detective Superintendent Sue Coombs at a press conference today, said: "There was no one as beautiful as our Elle May, her looks, her laugh and the way she would light up a room as soon as she walked in.
"She had this way about her that as soon as you met her you just instantly fell in love with her.
"Her laugh was infectious, anyone who was around her had a good time, she loved her life and had so many amazing plans for the future."
It continued: "Christmas and our family will never be the same again without her. She was the glue that held this big family together.
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"We will love and miss her forever. Our Elle May, the most beautiful and bright star out there, forever and always."
The statement finished with a personal tribute from her father, saying: "My beautiful Elle Marlene is the love of my life and she is my world, my best friend.
"She will always shine and be beautiful and bright, my Elle has never gone."
DS Coombs also confirmed that Merseyside Police were appealing for information about a dark Mercedes seen in the pub's car park shortly before the fatal shooting.
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The search for the weapon used in the horror crime is also ongoing.
DS Coombs pleaded with members of the public to come forward with any information.
She said: "Please, tell us what you know and help us get justice for Elle's family.
"We are committed to finding the people responsible for Elle's death and putting them behind bars.
"These people don't deserve to be walking our streets. They don't deserve to be protected.
"Silence is never an option, we need people to take a stand against criminals, we need you to speak to us so that we can take action."
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the police.
Those who wish to report anonymously can get in touch with independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Elle, 26, was gunned down and killed in Wallasey, Merseyside, on Christmas Eve as she sat in the pub garden.
Three people were arrested in connection with the horror gun crime.
A 31-year-old man is the latest suspect to be detained and remains in custody while officers have bailed a 19-year-old woman and a 30-year-old man has been recalled to prison.
Being recalled means that the man has been returned to prison for breaking the conditions of his licence after being released for a previous offence.
As he remains anonymous, it is not known what he was previously jailed for.
It is believed that Elle was innocently caught up in a feud between rival gangs when she was shot in the head at around 11.50pm as she sat in the pub's outdoor seating area.
It is thought the gunman had been tipped off that a man he had a bust-up with a few days earlier was among the drinkers.
As the area was peppered with bullets, Elle was tragically killed.
She was rushed to hospital along with four men but sadly couldn't be saved.
Three of the men have since been discharged, while the fourth is in a non-life threatening condition.
Elle's distraught parents paid tribute to their "beautiful" girl in a heartbreaking message left at the scene.
It read: "To my beautiful Elle. You are the light of my life, you will never be gone, mum, dad xxxxxx."
The family had said they have been left "devastated and inconsolable".
Merseyside Police said they do not believe Elle was the intended target of the shooting.
Deputy Chief Constable Ian Critchley, said: "We are continuing to support the family of Elle Edwards and our thoughts remain with them and her friends at this incredibly difficult time.
"Guns have no place in our communities. We have seen here the devastation they can cause, and the senseless loss to a family of their loved one by the most cowardly of acts.
"I want our communities to be reassured that we will be relentless in finding those who choose to use them and store the weapons and bring them to justice."
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DCC Critchley later added a stark warning on Twitter to those responsible, saying simply: "We will catch you."
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