Shropshire Star

Shrine at stadium for Midlands family murdered in Tunisia attack

Three generations of one family are seen relaxing on their flight out to a week in the sun.

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But teenager Joel Richards, his uncle Adrian Evans and grandfather Patrick Evans were not to return home alive.

They were among around 18 Britons confirmed murdered in last Friday's Tunisia beach attack, when a gunman opened fire on sunbathers in the resort of Sousse.

The death toll is expected to climb to around 30 after further identifications take place. Prime Minister David Cameron announced that a minute's silence to commemorate the victims will be held across the country on Friday.

But friends of the football-loving family, from the West Midlands, have already been paying their respects at Walsall's Banks's Stadium. A shrine has been set up outside the ground and hundreds of people have left shirts, scarves, flowers and messages. Joel's brother Owen, 16, is the only survivor from the family trip.

Among those paying tribute were friends of Joel who attended the University of Worcester. Ross Adomo, 19, said: "I still can't believe it. He was such a nice, bright lad. He never had a bad word to say about anyone."

James McMulkin, 16, is one of Owen's best friends. He said: "I have spoken to him, he has sent me a couple of texts, he's back in the country. Obviously he's completely distraught. We are praying this doesn't change him as a person because he is a lovely lad. The school is absolutely gutted. The amount of people who have come down shows the respect everybody had for the family.

"I saw his granddad a few times, they were very close. He was a lovely man."

Family friend Helen Probert posted the photograph on Facebook of Adrian, Patrick and Joel, taken as they jetted off on their holiday.

"It's absolutely heart-breaking. They were very close, they did so much together like going to football matches.

"Joel was one of the most kindest, beautiful souls I have met. His mother Suzy is absolutely devastated to have lost him as well as her father and brother. Her whole world has fallen apart. I've known her since infant school and it's horrible knowing what she is going through," said Miss Probert.

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