Doves have been released in memory of people who lost their lives to domestic abuse.

At a ceremony at Swales Meadow in the Grange Farm Centre, Chigwell, mother-of-one Gillian Andrade, was amongst those honoured by friends and family.

In a speech, Ms Andrade’s brother Alasdair Davey said his sister’s death showed domestic abuse can affect a wide variety of people.

Gillian Andrade was stabbed to death by her boyfriend Daniel Hodges in Churchfields in Loughton.

The 31-year-old is currently serving a life sentence for murder.

He said: “It came to everyone’s attention that this doesn’t discriminate at all. Gillian wasn’t the stereotype of an abuse victim. She was an attractive, strong and very opinionated.

“We can at least show everyone out there that it is not just low incomes, or certain situations, it is everyone.”

Gillian’s mother Mary Davey said in a statement read by Ann Haigh: “Gillian was beautiful and vibrant with a huge zest for life.

“She was a wonderful mother to Madeline and a fantastic daughter to me.

“On October 8 2012 she was taken from me in the most horrific circumstances.

“My heart died with her that day.”