Tributes paid to mum in Devizes shooting tragedy (From Swindon Advertiser)
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Tributes paid to mum in Devizes shooting tragedy
10:40am Thursday 7th March 2013 in News
HOLIDAY WITH MUM Vicky Rose and her mum Sheila Eynon on a cruise together. Vicky loved travelling and exploring new places, her friends said
TRIBUTES have been paid to shooting victim Vicky Rose, who was found dead alongside her partner.
The bodies of former Wiltshire Police inspector Bill Dowling, 59, and Vicky, 58, were found in the porch of Mr Dowling’s house in Moonrakers, Devizes, by neighbours after gunshots were heard on Saturday morning.
Police recovered a shotgun from the scene and forensic testing is being carried out on it.
Vicky was born in Old Town, Swindon and grew up in the area while her father served as a police officer.
She moved to Devizes 14 years ago when she began a job with the Ministry of Defence at Tidworth.
While there she met Mr Dowling, who had joined the MoD when he retired from the police force after serving in Marlborough and Devizes.
She leaves two sons, Johnathan, 32, and Matthew 30. Her mother Sheila Eynon, who is widowed, now lives in Somerset.
James Newton, of Rodbourne in Swindon, a friend of her son Johnathan, said she was a generous, caring person.
He said: “Vicky was one of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet, brightening up every room she entered and never lost for something to say.
“In all the years I have known her, I have never seen her down or depressed – she was one of those people that loved life and appreciated every second of it.
“Vicky was devoted to her friends and family, leaving behind her two sons and mother, and would go out of her way to please, and help, them. Her death will leave a massive void in the lives of everyone who knew her.”
His wife Rebecca added: “I have never met a more upbeat and friendly person as Vicky. She had an infectious personality, was always welcoming, and was never short of a word or two. I feel truly honoured to have known her; she will be sorely missed.”
Mrs Rose’s friend and neighbour Sarah Edwards said Mrs Rose, of White Horse Way, Devizes, had confided in her her continuing exasperation at the depression Mr Dowling had been suffering from since the death of his mother last year.
Mother-of-two Mrs Edwards said: “Vicky said Bill had been very depressed and it was beginning to get her down. She said she didn’t think they had anything in common any more.”
She added: “I can’t imagine what must have been going through her mind during those last few minutes.
“She must have been terrified. She didn’t deserve to die like that.”
