Louise Smith funeral: A community pays its respects to 'such a beautiful young lady'

The funeral has taken place of 16-year-old Louise Smith from Leigh Park in Hampshire

The family and friends of a teenager who disappeared from the Leigh Park area of Havant in Hampshire during May have gathered to pay their respects at her funeral.

Sixteen-year-old Louise Smith was reported missing on Friday 8th May, VE Day.

Her body was found in woodland at nearby Havant Thicket almost two weeks later, on Thursday 21 May. Hampshire Police are carrying out a murder investigation.

Crowds gather at the funeral of Louise Smith

Today, the Leigh Park community as a whole, pulled together to give Louise a respectful send off. Hundreds, if not thousands of mourners lined the route of a funeral cortege as Louise was carried to the Oaks Crematorium in a horse-drawn carriage.  

It was a private funeral, but Louise's family had asked people wishing to support them to keep social distance and stand along the route, which wound through Leigh Park along Middle Park Way, towards Petersfield Road and past Havant Academy.

The members of biker groups from all over, totalling between 500 and 1,500 riders, including the local Hampshire-based HBB Club rode along the route in a procession as their own tribute to the teenager. The watching crowds clapped the riders as they passed.

The whole area was decorated in purple ribbons and some of the mourners wore purple t-shirts. Louise’s former head teacher said it was a befitting farewell for such a beautiful young lady.

After Louise was found in May, her family issued a statement through Hampshire Police, describing her and paying tribute to her.

Crowds lined the streets to pay tribute and watch the funeral cortege

Twenty-nine-year-old Shane Mays of Somborne Drive in Havant has been charged with the murder of Louise Smith. He is awaiting trial at Winchester Crown Court, with a plea hearing expected to be held next week on Wednesday 15th July.