Clergyman’s murder ‘has turned family’s world upside down’

Hilary Bosworth spoke movingly of her brother, the Rev John Suddards, and told of how much her family would miss him.

“As John’s family, we are still struggling to come to terms with his tragic and untimely death, which has shocked all those who knew John to the core,” Mrs Bosworth said yesterday.

“He was my only sibling, a dear brother and much loved uncle to my three children.

“We miss his warm smile, his wisdom and his wicked sense of humour.”

Mr Suddards, 59, was found stabbed to death at his home in Thornbury, South Gloucestershire, on February 14.

Stephen Farrow, 47, has been charged with the murder of Mr Suddards and also that of retired teacher Betty Yates, 77, in Bewdley, Worcestershire.

Mr Suddards’s body was found by workmen who had arrived at the vicarage next to St Mary’s Church in Castle Street.

The news of his death sent shockwaves through the clergy and the close-knit community, about 11 miles north of Bristol.

“In the weeks since it happened, we have been heartened by the many tributes to John from his friends and colleagues across the dioceses where he worked in Essex and more recently in South Gloucestershire,” Mrs Bosworth said.

“It is clear that John’s devotion to his ministry in the Church of England was the driving force in his life. He was admired for his clearness of vision, his intellect, his great humanity and understanding of the suffering of others. He believed in being there for any person in need.

“That such a modest, unassuming and peaceful man could die in such terrible circumstances is unimaginably hard to accept.

“It has turned our world upside down and put us in a situation where the one person to whom we would normally turn for help has been taken from us.”

Mrs Bosworth, who lives in Dorset with her family, also thanked Avon and Somerset Police for their “hard work, dedication and tireless determination to get justice for John”.