Family in Philippines pay tribute to mother and daughter found dead in house in Dundee

The family of a Filipino woman found dead with her toddler daughter at a house in Dundee have paid tribute to them and spoken of their devastation.

Oscar Aquino described his sister Bennylyn Burke, who is understood to have moved to the UK two years ago, as “intelligent, kind, beautiful and dependable”.

The bodies of Ms Burke, 25, and two-year-old daughter Jellica were discovered on Thursday, a month after they were last seen at their home 440 miles away in Bristol.

In a post on social media, her brother said: “Bennylyn Aquino and Jellica Dakaria Aquino, may you rest in peace in Heaven, my sister and my niece. Your family, relatives and friends still can’t believe that you are gone.

“We miss you so much since you left the Philippines, sis. I remember when we used to play and you made me dance. You always made us happy. We will never forget you.”

Aquino, from the Philippines’ capital Manila, spoke of how his sister would defend him from bullies when they were younger and described her as “intelligent, kind, beautiful and always dependable”.

He said: “The most difficult ­tragedy in life is to face the death of a loved one. It hurts so much but God will take care of everything. We will be strong, even if it is painful.”

He said the family would “work hard, fight and get up again”, adding: “We won’t give up. Rest in peace in Heaven. We love you very much. You are still in our hearts. We are still thinking of you.”

A friend of Ms Burke in the UK yesterday shared photographs of the mum and Jellica, and paid ­ tribute to them, stating: “Bennylyn is so friendly and such a loving mother. She smiles all the time – a simple and happy woman.

“Jellica is such a sweet little girl, very cuddly. The moment we see each other, she always gave you a cuddle.”

Police said on Thursday that two bodies had been discovered at a house in Troon Avenue, Dundee, and that post-mortem examinations would take place to establish the cause of death. Formal identification is yet to take place but relatives of Ms Burke have been informed of the discovery.

IT worker Andrew Innes, 50, is alleged to have murdered Ms Burke and Jellica within his home in Troon Avenue between February 17 and March 5. He is accused of bludgeoning the mum of two to death with a hammer at the property. He was remanded in custody after appearing at Dundee Sheriff Court on March 8.

Ms Burke, a full-time mother, was born in the Philippines and moved to the UK after marrying. It is understood she moved to Bristol about two years ago.

A group of her friends are planning a vigil on April 10 at a location in the city where they used to enjoy picnics. Ms Burke and her two children were reported missing on March 1 after last being seen on February 17 at their home.

She is understood to have had family members living in the UK as her next of kin. Her elder daughter, aged seven, has been found and is being cared for by social services, police said. Mr Innes was arrested after police went to his home on March 5.

After the discovery of the bodies on Thursday, Detective Superintendent Graeme Mackie said: “This is a significant development in what has been a particularly challenging inquiry for everyone involved.

“Bennylyn’s family have been informed of this development and we will continue to support them at this difficult time as our investigation continues. The thoughts of everyone involved in this investigation are with them.

“There will continue to be a significant police presence in the area for some time and I would ask anyone with information to please come forward and speak to us.”