Hundreds mourn Melanie Wilson at funeral service

The family and friends of the 22 year old packed the service at St Mary’s Church, Ladybrook on Tuesday and heard tributes to a life so tragically cut short.

Police confirmed that a body found on November 3 at an unoccupied house in Sutton was that of Melanie who sparked a massive search when she had gone missing.

A funeral procession made its way from the Co-op funeral directors in Ladybrook Lane to the church service.

Melanie’s brothers Peter Desmond and Jimmy were pall bearers for their sister’s white coffin which was garlanded in white flowers.

A service officiated by Rev John Burgess was preceded by My Immortal by Evanescence.

During the service, Rev Burgess read out a tribute to Melanie from her father David Wilson.

Melanie was born in 1993 into a loving family in Mansfield.

She was the only daughter of David and Tracy and from an early age she showed great talent as a ballet dancer travelling around the country winning medals and competitions.

Mr Wilson described his daughter as the ‘spirit of her mother’s flame’.

She had three big brothers who she loved dearly and enjoyed every minute she spent with them.

He said she had loyal friends who supported her and she had four cats, referring to herself as the ‘crazy cat woman’.

All four had been re-homed with her friends.

He said Melanie was unique - a one off - and had a great sense of humour.

He added: “She made a huge impact on those she met and her kindness and warmth was felt by her friends and family.”

She had a big heart and embraced everybody knowingly and trustingly, finding time to donate to local charities.

He said it had been a traumatic experience for himself and those who knew Melanie that she had left he family and friends so soon, adding:

“We may never know the reasons why - there are many things in life to which we never find the true answer.”

He thanked everyone who had helped the family during what could only be described as “the most awful of times”.

The service included songs of praise All Things Bright and Beautiful and Morning has Broken, with a reading of a Jim Willis poem; I loved you best, dedicated to Melanie by her best friend Emma Walker.

The coffin was carried from the church accompanied by Rihanna’s We Found Love.

Tributes in the cortège included the words ‘Cheerful Cousin’ in yellow flowers and Melanie in white flowers.

Melanie vanished from her home in Sutton in October after texting her dad “I love you”.

An inquest is yet to be opened. A post mortem investigation has been carried out and police say they are not considering Melanie’s death as suspicious.