THE brother and sister of murdered Lee Chapman have shared how his death “is harder to cope with every day”.
Craig Holmes and Abigale Chapman welcomed the life sentence of Tyrel Thompson who stabbed their brother to death in Southend.
The 26-year-old died in Southend Hospital on March 7, after he was stabbed on March 6.
Lee Chapman with friend Keeley Boissinot
Craig Holmes said: “It’s been nine months since Lee was taken from us and it gets harder to cope with it every day.
“He had the biggest heart anyone could have ever asked for.
“He took the wrong turn over the past few years, but he never deserved for it to end like this.
“This has had a huge impact on all of our lives including an innocent nine-year-old girl who has now lost her dad.
“I can’t come to terms with the fact I will never see him again and one more day with him would help a huge amount.
“Lee, we [didn’t] always get on and we used to fight like cat and dog at the best of times. But [it] didn’t ever stop me loving
you.”
Lee with friend Kiki Selfe
Following his death, Mr Chapman’s family and friends held a funeral during the Covid-19 pandemic, which allowed a small number of them to attend.
Paying tribute to her brother, Abigale Chapman said: “Sometimes I’m so sad. Sometimes I sit and cry. Sometimes I just want to hug you so hard, but I can’t, you’re not here.
“Every day seems to be a challenge, different obstacles each day, sometimes I sit and wonder what the next day will be like then ‘bam’ reality hits and you’re not actually here
anymore.
Tributes for Lee in Cromer Road
“I’m not sure how long it’s going to take me to get past this, the fact my poor brother’s life was taken right from him, how is this fair?
“I wish things were different. There’s no point me trying to pretend I’m okay, I generally wasn’t coping - the only thing that kept me going was my daughter.
“I wish you got the chance to meet her Lee you would have loved her just as much you did anyone else.
“She’s got your name and I promise she will know you and what a funny, kind and crazy person you actually were.
“You’re missed by everyone my dearest brother - so much you wouldn’t believe.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article