Georgia Williams death: Town unites in grief

A MINUTE’S silence was held yesterday to remember Georgia Williams, the teenager believed to have been killed after she disappeared from her home in Wellington last Sunday.

Georgia Williams: Thought to have died after going missing. Picture: PA

The service was held at the town’s All Saints Church where a number of her friends had visited to light candles and mourn the teenager.

Reverend Mark Ireland, vicar at the Anglican church, said: “As Georgia’s family are Roman Catholic, it’s Georgia’s friends who have turned to us. It has been a privilege to welcome them in.”

He said the teenager’s death had touched “a lot of people”.

The church bells rang half muffled yesterday in tribute to Georgia, followed by a minute’s silence before the 150-strong congregation sang O The Deep, Deep Love of Jesus. The vicar then read out a special prayer for the murdered teenager.

Jamie Reynolds, 22, was arrested in Glasgow city centre on Wednesday and charged with murder on Friday after a body was found in woodland near Wrexham, North Wales.

West Mercia Police are yet to formally identify the body, which was found off the Nant-y-Garth pass, but have said they believe it to be Georgia.

Reynolds appeared before magistrates in Telford on Saturday accused of murdering Georgia. He was remanded into custody to appear at Stafford Crown Court tomorrow.

Detectives investigating the murder have appealed for the public’s help to find a black leather jacket Georgia was thought to be wearing on the day she went missing, along with a leather spotty satchel, a pink, flowered make-up bag and her Samsung Galaxy Y mobile phone.

Detective Superintendent Adrian McGee, from West Mercia Police, said: “The support the public and the media have given to our investigation so far has been fantastic, but we need to ask for their help once more as we try to find these items.

“If anyone is aware of their whereabouts or comes across any suspicious items, particularly in the area between Oswestry, Wrexham and Ruthin in north Shropshire and Denbighshire, then please get in touch.”

Friends of the 17-year-old are hoping to raise more than £1,000 for a permanent memorial to the teenager. More than £600 has already been raised for a memorial bench, which they hope can be placed in Wellington, Telford, Shropshire.

On the indiegogo fundraising page, organiser Steve Millington, wrote: “Seventeen-year-old Georgia was loved by many, and her story touched the heart of the nation.

“We are looking at erecting a memorial bench in her memory and to celebrate her wonderful life. This will be something that everyone that cared for her can be proud of.

“With your help, we can ­immortalise her memory.”