Libby Squire: Tributes to Hull student after body found

Libby Squire was last seen in the early hours of 1 February

The discovery of missing student Libby Squire's body has been described by a mourner as "the end of hope".

The 21-year-old's remains were found in the Humber Estuary on Wednesday, seven weeks after she was last seen alive.

Flowers and messages have since been left on a bench near Ms Squire's student house in Hull.

A minute's silence was held in the city's Minster where people were invited to light candles in her memory.

The bench on Beverley Road, close to the junction with Haworth Street, has become a focal point for those wishing to remember Ms Squire.

'Gut-wrenching'

Bernadette Barron, 67, who lives a few blocks away from the student's home on Wellesley Avenue, said: "It's such a tragedy. We were hoping and hoping for something positive. It's just heartbreaking.

"The whole community has constantly been on the alert.

"It's just the end of hope. It's just gut-wrenching."

Bernadette Barron said she and her family helped in the search for Ms Squire

Craig Whittles, 46, who lives in Bransholme, three miles away from the scene, said: "It's so sad. She had a full life ahead of her, so I thought I'd pay my respects.

"I've got three children, including a daughter who's 19 years old and studying in Leeds at the moment. She goes to the same nightclub when she's here in Hull."

Beauty therapist Stacey Morgan and hairdresser Hollie Lindop left flowers at the scene "to pay their respects".

"It's just been really sad and awful," said Ms Morgan.

"We've been thinking of the family all the time."

Ms Lindop said: "We've seen it from the off and it's been very upsetting. We park our cars down Beresford Avenue [next to Wellesley Avenue] on a daily basis and walking down to lay the flowers is just upsetting really."

She said the community had "come together to support each other and stand strong".

Hairdresser Hollie Lindop and beautician Stacey Morgan both work at a salon on the opposite side of the road, overlooking the bench

In a tweet, Hull Minster said it offered "our deepest condolences at this devastating news".

Prof Susan Lea, vice-chancellor at the University of Hull, said staff and students were "all absolutely devastated by the loss of our student, Libby Squire".

"Our hearts go out to Libby's family and friends at this incredibly difficult time and we will continue to give them our full support," she added.

An inquest into her death is due to open and adjourn on Monday.

Hull Minster has invited people to light a candle in memory of the student

A 24-year-old man arrested on suspicion of abduction remains under investigation, police said.

The man is remanded in custody on unrelated charges of burglary, voyeurism, outraging public decency and receiving stolen goods.

On the night of her disappearance, detectives think Ms Squire got a taxi at the Welly Club music venue before arriving at her student house in Wellesley Avenue at about 23:30 GMT, where her mobile phone was found.

They do not believe she entered the house and have said her phone "has not provided any further insight as to her movements that night".

She was spotted on CCTV 10 minutes later near the bench on Beverley Road, where it is thought a motorist stopped to offer her help.