Becky Watts’ friend: “She was so innocent – how could anyone harm her?”

When 16-year-old Becky Watts went missing thousands of residents united to scour the area around her Bristol home in the desperate hope that she would be found safe and well.

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by Emily Cope |
Published on

But, as the search entered its 12th day last week, police made a devastating discovery.

Just one mile from her home, the remains of Becky’s dismembered body were found in a terraced house and dramatically, last Thursday, Becky’s step-brother, Nathan Matthews, 28, appeared in court charged with murdering the schoolgirl.

His girlfriend Shauna Hoare, 21, was charged with intending to pervert the course of justice. Four more people have been charged with assisting an offender in connection with the murder - Karl and Donovan Demetrius, both 29, Jaydene Parsons, 23, and James Ireland, 23, have all been charged. A 23-year-old man was questioned, but has been released without charge.

Charlie with school friend Becky Watts in happier times

Tragic Becky was last seen on Thursday 19 February, after leaving home with her mobile phone, laptop and tablet - without telling friends and family where she was going.

Nearly 24 hours later, after her dad, Darren Galsworthy, and stepmum, Anjie Galsworthy - mum of Matthews - had frantically contacted friends and family in the hope of finding her, Becky was declared missing, and an official search began for the teenager.

Becky's relatives lay flowers at her home in Bristol

But, in a horrifying turn of events, it emerged that police suspected Becky had been murdered and “cut up” – a development that her devastated father said was “too much to bear”.

It’s a sentiment echoed by one of Becky’s best friends from school, Charlie Avery, 15, who was close to tears as she described Becky to* Closer*.

MISSING TEEN'S MUM: 'MY HEART GOES OUT TO ALICE'S FAMILY'

Charlie – who had been close friends with Becky for a year – says: “Becky was quite shy at first, but when I got to know her she was so bubbly and full of life. We would have sleepovers at mine and watch films or talk about girly things like make-up, and she loved playing with my dog Bonnie. She was really easy to get along with and always so kind.

“Becky was a genuine friend to me, I loved her like a sister and I’m in shock from the news. It’s devastating. I don’t understand how anyone could harm her - she was so innocent.”

Read more in Closer magazine, out now.

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