THE family of a teenager who died just days after returning from a dream holiday said people have come from far and wide to support them in their grief.

By Jessica Nicholls

Lead for page 14………with pic

THE family of a teenager who died just days after returning from a dream holiday said people have come from far and wide to support them in their grief.

Stephen and Kendra Keys, today paid tribute to all their family and friends for the support they have been given since the death of 18 year-old Murrell, who died following an accident on his motorbike in November.

He had only recently returned from a month long holiday in New Zealand visiting his family when his motorbike was in collision with a bus in Station Road, Framlingham on November 24.

The devastated couple said they could not believe the amount of people that went to pay their last respects.

Mr Keys said: "People were standing outside because there was just not enough room and they could not shut the doors.

"I just want to say a big thank you to everyone – it has been so helpful."

The family home in Orford Road, Bromeswell is adorned with cards and messages of support for Mr and Mrs Keys and Murrell's brother Ross, 24 and Kenna, 17.

They have also been astounded by the support they have received from many of Murrell's young friends.

Mrs Keys said: "We are grieving but there are people out there who know how you feel.

"He obviously got to a lot more people than we ever realised."

Because the family always felt Murrell was more of a loner than his brother and sister, they said they were stunned by the amount of people who went to his funeral.

Mrs Keys said: "There were cards from his primary school that he left when he was 12 or 13 – one of the teachers even turned up.

"Some of the cards were also from parents of his friends and they all said what a lovely boy he was.

"He was no angel but I am glad that he knew how to behave."

People that they hardly know have also been offering sympathy and there was even a tribute at the funeral from Saxmundham Fire Service.

Murrell's coffin was carried in to the crematorium by his brother and some of his brother's friends.

Mrs Keys said: "To see them doing that nearly broke my heart."

The family also wanted to say thank you to Reverend John Waller from Waldringfield who took the service.

Mr Keys said: "The service that he did was brilliant.

"Reverend Waller has been like our family vicar, he christened all the children and also did grandparents funerals.

"I said to him that I keep thinking that Murrell is just late home and he said to me that Murrell was already home and that it is us who are late now."

People came from far and wide for the funeral, Murrell's grandmother came over from New Zealand and others came down from Hull and Wales.

Mr Keys said that they were planning to scatter half of Murrell's ashes in Waldringfield where he was christened and the other half in New Zealand.

He said: "All the time he was over in New Zealand he was counting his money to see when he could go back again.

"Out of all our three children he was always the one with most purpose."

With Christmas looming, the family is desperately trying to come to terms with what has happened but fear that they never will.

On Christmas Eve, Kendra said she would light a candle for him that was bought for her by colleagues.