THE family of the tragic Bluestone youngsters has called for the two surviving children to be left in peace now the inquest is over.

In a written statement, PC Bluestone's father and former Gravesham councillor Gregor Bluestone said: "We sincerely hope the media will now allow both families the dignity of grieving in private and they will consider the interests of these families when reporting today's events."

He continued: "I want to pay tribute to the emergency services who attended our son's house on the night of August 28, 2001.

"We sincerely thank the police for handling the investigation of this incident with efficiency and sensitivity.

"The coroner's decision will, we hope, help to bring to an end this chapter in the lives of both families involved in this sad affair."

He added: "We are comforting ourselves with the knowledge that, up to the time of the tragedy, our son Karl was a loving and devoted father and we will always remember him that way."

Jill Bluestone's brother and sister-in-law, Peter and Caroline Skerry also issued statements. They said: "On August 28, 2001, our lives changed forever with the deaths of Jill, Henry and Chandler.

"Jill was a wonderful mother who lived for her children. She managed to combine a busy home with a full-time professional job working with Basildon Council."

They added: "We have been overwhelmed by the messages of support from family and friends, colleagues and acquaintances of Jill. To all those we send our sincere thanks. Their support has helped us to begin to come to terms with the events of August 28. Jill, Henry and Chandler will be sadly missed.

"Our thoughts are with Jill's surviving children and we would ask the media to respect their privacy."

November 12, 2001 12:58