The heartbroken nan of Elle Edwards said if she died tomorrow, her death would have to be recorded as a "broken heart".
Susan Edwards' statement was heard at Liverpool Crown Court today before the sentencing of Connor Chapman. The murderer will spend at least 48 years in jail for taking the life of the beautician in a botched gangland hit.
Nigel Power KC, prosecuting, read Susan's moving statement to the court, where she said Elle was "so special" to her and her "best friend".
READ MORE: Connor Chapman jailed for at least 48 years for murder of Elle Edwards
She said: “To me Elle was beyond caring, beyond kind, beyond generous and loving. If you were lucky enough to be chosen by Elle as a friend, you knew it would be cherished and last forever. I know as cheesy as it sounds, she called me Queen and I called her Princess.”
Susan recalled a birthday in September 2021, when Elle arrived with chocolate and flowers from M&S. She told her nan they were “going somewhere special” the next day.
She added: “I kept asking are we there yet? She just laughed and told me to wait and see. She parked up in a wooded area. We walked along a narrow path towards a huge wall about 30ft tall. We went through an archway and there was a huge castle.
"It took my breath away. It’s what she said that stayed with me. She said every queen has to have her own castle.”
They then had afternoon tea together at the castle.
Susan also said: “We would all gather in the front room and exchange gifts. Elle gave me a large heavy box. What was inside was a cake dome. It was beautiful. Elle had a message carved in the base that said ‘Nanny Sue’s delicious bakes, you are forever loved’.
"Yet again she went beyond to make me happy. She was so special to me and my best friend. If I were to die tomorrow, the coroner would write on my death certificate: Cause of death, a broken heart. I miss my angel so much it hurts.”
“Wholly innocent” Elle, 26, had been enjoying a night out with her sister and friends when she was caught in a hail of bullets outside the Lighthouse pub, Wallasey Village. Elle was struck in the head and died almost instantly, while five men were also injured, one critically.
A jury of seven women and five men came to a unanimous decision on Chapman's guilt yesterday after three hours and 48 minutes of deliberation, following a three and a half week trial at Liverpool Crown Court.
Chapman’s friend Thomas Waring, 20, was also convicted of possession of a prohibited weapon, and assisting an offender by helping Chapman torch a stolen black Mercedes car used to flee the scene. The 20-year-old was sentenced to nine years in prison.
Today trial judge Mr Justice Goose described Chapman as a "highly dangerous man". As the verdicts were read on Thursday, Elle’s family let out sighs of relief, whispered "yes" and her dad, Tim Edwards, punched the air.
Chapman was convicted of Elle’s murder, the attempted murders of Salkeld and Duffy, wounding Mr Loughran and Mr Carr with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and assaulting Mr Speed causing actual bodily harm.
He was also convicted of possessing an prohibited weapon and ammunition with intent to endanger life.
