Questions but few answers for those who grieve

Sobbing and bewildered by a tragedy they could make no sense of, visitors placed cards and flowers near the scene yesterday. One card summed up the thoughts of many, asking simply: “Why? why? why?”.

Relatives, even those who considered themselves close to the man suspected of the killings, said the Smiths appeared to be the “perfect family”.

Garry Tempest, 37, Mr Smith’s cousin, said: “They were a lovely, happy family. I didn’t know of any problems.

“The whole family is shocked about what’s happened. You never think this will happen to someone you know.”

The HGV driver, speaking close to the Smith family home, added: “I saw the family about eight months ago but we spoke quite often. Richard and I were quite close.

“We usually see each other at family get-togethers. They were a lot of fun. We would have seen each other at Christmas to exchange cards and presents.

“There are so many rumours flying about but I don’t know for definite what has happened.

“It’s just unbelievable as they were such a happy family.”

Mr Tempest described the Smiths as “the perfect family” who did not appear to have money worries and never argued.

He admitted finding it “very hard to believe” that Mr Smith had taken the lives of his family and then himself.

“I don’t believe that for a minute. I find it very hard to believe.

“He thought the world of them.

“I have known Richard all my life; there’s never been any bad things, arguing or anything. They both had good jobs.”

A woman whose child attends the same school as the couple’s son Ben, nine, said she could make no sense of what had happened.

“I can’t understand it. They were the perfect family, devoted to each other.

“Their whole lives revolved around their boy’s football – he played for Pudsey Juniors. They socialised with other football parents and Clair was best friends with other football mums.

“Ben was a talented footballer and their whole life was the family and football. It does not make sense.

“Clair hadn’t been back to work long after her maternity leave finished.”

Family friend Dean Turnbull, a bus driver, said: “We went dancing last week and there was no sign of any problems. We can’t take it in.

“All we know is they were a lovely family with two lovely kids and we are shocked.”

Mr Turnbull did not think the family had any worries.

“They had no concerns – they were looking forward to Christmas in their new house. Richard was showing me what he was planning to do with it... I’m at a loss.”

And friend Sarah Wilson, who laid flowers at the scene with her teenage son, said the couple’s sons were “such beautiful little boys, both of them”.

She added: “I can’t imagine what’s made this happen, I really can’t. I just can’t believe it.

“There was no inkling that anything like this would happen, nothing.”

Cards and flowers placed at the scene conveyed a sense of disbelief that was shared by many.

One card pinned to 10 pink roses said: “Why? Why? Why?

“I can’t believe it was only a few weeks I was holding Aaron and that we will never see you and your beautiful boys again.

“It didn’t have to end like this for any of you. xxx.”

One card hinted at an earlier personal tragedy, saying: “You are now with baby Jake, all in one place.”

Another read: “You were such a beautiful family. We can’t believe you have all gone.”

Other tributes included a Leeds United scarf with a note, addressed to “Uncle Richard”, in a child’s handwriting saying: “Remember the days when you used to babysit me as a nippa”.

A card read: “We have shared so many memories together and had some happy times.

“Ben my little mate who was a fantastic footballer and I’m sure his younger brother would have followed in his footsteps too.”

One woman said: “It has touched everyone in Pudsey, especially when you have children of your own and at this time of year.”