A DEVASTATED community of car enthusiasts who shared their hobby with Suffolk stabbing victim Rebecca Rice have created an internet book of condolence for the tragic teenager.
A DEVASTATED community of car enthusiasts who shared their hobby with Suffolk stabbing victim Rebecca Rice have created an internet book of condolence for the tragic teenager.
Miss Rice, who was found dead in the kitchen of her Pettistree flat on August 6, was well known among the car-modernising fraternity, regularly attending organised meets and shows.
After news broke of her death, one of the websites linked to the hobby which Miss Rice often used to post messages to other enthusiasts - www.sinfulbehaviour.com - created a section for condolences.
Scores of messages quickly appeared, paying tribute to the popular 18-year-old, known to her friends as 'Rebs'.
One was from her ex-boyfriend Shane Marks, who wrote: “It is coming up to one year since I met Rebs in Ipswich.
“From the moment we set eyes on each other I totally fell in love with her. We spent the next three-and-a-half months together and we were extremely close.
“I can not believe what happened. I was informed today that Rebs had told her parents she was hoping to try and make a go of things with myself again. It's just a shame I didn't have the chance to show her how much I still care for her, love her and would do anything for her.
“She was such a special girlfriend to me and I will deeply miss her.”
Another message was left by Ipswich man Tom Ow, who knew Miss Rice for seven years. He said: “She will be truly missed.
“She would want us to remember her for the person she was and to live our lives to the fullest like she did.”
Matt Paseo, also from Ipswich, wrote: “I got to know her well and she was a wonderful, bright young woman who was always full of life and excitement.
“My thoughts and prayers are with her family.”
Miss Rice, a former pupil at Thomas Mills High School, was keen to pursue a career in modelling and sought guidance from Kayla Fox, whose photograph appears on several websites connected to car-modernising.
Miss Fox wrote: “I met Rebs at her first proper car show last year. She wanted to get into modelling within that scene so came to me for advice.
“I continued giving her advice throughout all the time I knew her. I was told she looked up to me so I told her that I was making her over as I could see a pretty face behind that hair tied back.
“She looked truly stunning, an English rose who loved horses, cars and life.
She was a free spirit and I prey that she is at peace.”
Rebecca Rice was found on August 6 in the kitchen of the two-bed flat suffering from stab wounds to her chest and back.
Stuart Adcock, 33, believed to be Miss Rice's boyfriend and of the same address in The Street, Pettistree, was remanded in custody after appearing before magistrates in Lowestoft charged with her murder.
Adcock did not enter a plea and the case was adjourned until August 17, when he will appear at Ipswich Crown Court for a preliminary hearing.
Would you like to pay tribute to Rebecca Rice? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk
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