Friends and relatives turn up to St John's Church

The family of Hugh McFall, who is believed to have killed his wife and daughter before taking his own life, have said the support of friends and family has been a light in their darkness.

About 100 people attended a memorial service to 48-year-old Mr McFall, at St John’s Church in Weston Rhyn, near Oswestry, yesterday. Police found the body of the wholesale florist in his business premises in nearby St Martins on February 5.

Hours earlier they had found the bodies of his wife Susan McFall and daughter 18-year-old Frankie McFall at the family home in Oswestry.

The Reverend Stuart Jermy said the manner of Mr McFall’s death did not reflect the manner of his life and said family, friends and members of the community had gone along to remember his life.

“Weston Rhyn is where he grew up and where he met Sue and St John’s Church is where they worshipped and where Frankie was baptised,” Mr Jermy said.

Prayers were said for both Mr McFall and Mrs McFall’s family. Mr Jermy said the two families had stuck together and graciously supported each other.

He said that during yesterday’s service Mr McFall’s sister, Helen Molesworth, thanked everyone for their support, saying it had been “a light in their darkness”.

She read a psalm while her husband Steve was the organist for the three hymns, Morning has Broken, Amazing Grace and Lord of all Hopefulness.

Family friend, The Reverend Mike Powell read several tributes to Mr McFall including light-hearted memories.

Yesterday the family released an emotional tribute, saying they remained shocked and bewildered by the inexplicable tragedy and saying they remained mindful of the devastating loss it brought to Mrs McFall’s older children, Dan and Nicola.

“We are so deeply, deeply sad that the life of our dear Hugh has ended this way. In losing Sue and our beautiful Frankie a unique and special part of our family has gone,” the statement said.

It also said the family had been strengthened and encouraged by the unity that Hugh’s family and Sue’s “remarkable” family had maintained.