Parents of tragic Bonnyrigg mother pay tribute

THE parents of a mother allegedly murdered with her young son just three days after Christmas have paid tribute to them.
Janet Lockhart aged 29  and Michael Lockhart aged 2. Picture: submittedJanet Lockhart aged 29  and Michael Lockhart aged 2. Picture: submitted
Janet Lockhart aged 29 and Michael Lockhart aged 2. Picture: submitted

The bodies of Janet Lockhart, 29, and her two-year-old son Michael were discovered by police on Saturday evening in Bonnyrigg, Midlothian, after a family friend raised concerns about them.

In the statement released yesterday, Mrs Lockhart’s mother, Maureen Hood, described her as a “loving daughter, sister and mother” who always put others first.

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Mrs Lockhart’s father, John Hood, and brother, Dr John Paul Hood, also paid tribute. They said they wanted to thank her “from the bottom of our hearts for being you”.

Mr and Mrs Hood said that their grandson Michael “lit up their lives”.

Mrs Lockhart’s family said: “We shared 29 wonderful years with our precious Janet, who was a loving daughter, sister and mother.

“She always put others before herself. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being you. We do not know how we will cope without you.

“To our grandson Michael, you lit up our lives. Sleep tight, our angel, and look after each other until we all meet again.

“As a family, we would like to thank all of our friends who have given us support and Police Scotland, giving a special mention to our family liaison officers who have been a great strength to us at this time.

“We also wish to thank our family doctor, Dr Rother, for the time she has spent with us.”

The family also asked for privacy, to allow them “time to grieve for Janet and Michael”.

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The bodies of Mrs Lockhart and her son were found on Saturday at 8:30pm after police forced entry into their home.

The two-storey semi-detached house was still cordoned off by police yesterday, and a number of floral tributes had been left by well-wishers.

The couple had moved into their home only 13 months ago. Neighbours said they were shocked by the deaths.

Garry Lockhart, 32, has been charged with the murder of his wife and son.

He appeared in private at Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday in front of Sheriff Paul Arthurson QC, where he made no plea or declaration.

He was remanded in custody and the case was continued.

Police have not disclosed the cause of the deaths.

Neighbours had earlier paid tribute to Mrs Lockhart and Michael.

Ally Craig, 38, who lives just metres from the Lockhart home with his wife and two young children, said that the incident was “devastating”.

He said: “I’d seen the woman outside a few times, carrying shopping from her car with her son, and we smiled at each other.

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“The first thing I knew about it was when I got home and saw the police tape [cordoning off the house].

“I couldn’t believe it. This is a really nice estate. A lot of families with young children live here.”

Another neighbour said that she was shocked by what had happened.

She said: “I didn’t know the couple or their family personally, but I live just down the road. It’s really heartbreaking.

“I only recently moved here and I’m expecting my first baby, so it’s made me rethink how much you think you know an area. You just don’t think this would happen somewhere so close to home.

“It’s just really upsetting. I only hope they didn’t suffer.”

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