Ceri Fuller Killings: Mum 'Has No Words'

Ruth Fuller, the mother of the three children stabbed to death on Monday, has said she is devastated by the loss.

"I don't have the words to describe how I feel at the moment," Ruth Fuller said in a statement. "All l would ask is that l be left alone to grieve for my family."

Police investigating the killings of Sam, 12, Rebecca, eight and Charlie, seven, have found a knife at the scene.

The three children were reportedly stabbed to death by their father, Ceri, 35, who was found dead near his children with fatal injuries from a cliff fall or jump.

The wider family issued a joint statement that said they are "devastated by this tragedy".

"Ceri was a gentle, sensitive and intelligent man but also a very private one," it said.

"He loved his children dearly and they were such a focal point of his life.

"His relationship with each one of them was one of gentleness, involvement and attentive nurturing. Sam, Rebecca and Charlie were such charming individuals, brought up in an environment of love.

"We cannot begin to imagine what was going through the mind of this gentle man to drive him to such tragic actions.

"We would ask all to respect our privacy at this time while we try to come to terms with this terrible loss."

The children and their father had been reported missing to Gloucestershire Police last week, but it was officers from the West Mercia Constabulary who found them in a disused quarry near Pontesbury Hill.

Police say they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths, describing it as a "tragic family situation".

But they are still treating their inquiries as a multiple murder investigation and continue to appeal to anyone with information to come forward.

Meanwhile, in the small town of Coleford in the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, where the children went to school, a formal church service has been held to remember them.

It was led by the Reverend Alan Wearmouth, who had helped to break the news of the tragedy to the young pupils on Monday.

Around 100 parents and children gathered in the grounds of St John's Church of England School for a candlelit vigil.

Flowers, toys and lanterns were placed at the foot of a tree. Among them were messages of condolences - some from children as young as five.

One read: "You were my best friends and I have sent my teddy to look after you."

Another said: "You all were very kind to me and were my very good friends."

One parent wrote: "Rest in peace little angels you are always in my thoughts."

Outside the school gates this morning emotions were running high as many parents struggled to make sense of the deaths.

One young father's eyes brimmed with tears as he asked: "How do you explain to your kids that their friends are dead, not because of an awful accident, but because their dad deliberately killed them?"

The grandmother of one pupil added: "I just can't imagine how their mother must be feeling. It just doesn't bear thinking about, it's just so so sad."