Grandparents pay tribute to tragic girl

The maternal grandparents of a four-year-old girl found dead at her home said yesterday she "charmed us in everything she did and learned".

The body of Keira Madden was found in a bedroom at around the same time her mother, Catherine Madden, 40, threw herself from a clifftop at Birling Gap, Sussex, 50 miles away at the weekend.

Police revealed a note apparently written by Mrs Madden found next to Keira's body at their home in Bognor Regis claimed she drowned after slipping in the sea the previous day.

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A post-mortem examination on Keira's body proved inconclusive.

In a statement issued through Sussex Police yesterday, Keira's maternal grandparents said: "Keira was born in August 2005 and the time since that magic moment has become the most wonderful time of our lives.

"We have been privileged to be part of her gradual change from a tiny baby into a beautiful, delightful and clever young lady who charmed us in everything she did and learned."

Keira and her mother "adored each other and nothing came between that love," they added.