Elle Edwards’ family ‘need answers’ after Christmas Eve shooting

The family of a 26-year-old woman who was killed in a pub shooting on Christmas Eve “need answers,” police said.

Elle Edwards was fatally shot just before midnight on Saturday 24 December at the Lighthouse Pub in Wallasey Village, Wirral.

The beautician, who was not believed to have been the target of the attack, was described by her family as “the most beautiful and brightest star” and “the glue that held our family together”.

Police have arrested a 31-year-old man from Tranmere on suspicion of conspiracy to murder but have yet to issue formal charges.

A statement from her father, Tim Edwards, on behalf of the family, read at a press conference by Detective Superintendent Merseyside Police Sue Coombs, said: “No one was as beautiful as our Elle May, her looks, her laugh and her manner would light up a room as soon as she entered it.

“She had this quality about her that as soon as you met her, you fell in love with her. Anyone who met Elle knew how special she is.”

“Christmas and our family will never be the same without her. She was the glue that held this big family together.”

The statement added, “We will love and miss her forever. Our Elle May, the most beautiful and brightest star out there, forever and ever.

During the press conference, Ms Coombs also asked for information about a dark Mercedes seen in the pub’s car park on the night of the shooting.

“We want to know where it came from and where it’s gone since.”

She said: “We know the answers to this lie within our communities.

“So my appeal to you is, please tell us what you know and help us get justice for Elle’s family.

Ms Coombs added: “Elle’s family are understandably devastated by her shocking and needless death.

“They need answers, and now more than ever it’s important for people to come forward and tell us what they know.”

“We need people who take a stand against criminals.

“These people don’t deserve to be walking our streets, they don’t deserve to be protected, they belong in prison.

“We have already spoken to a large number of witnesses and reviewed a large amount of CCTV footage and we are still pursuing a number of investigative lines.

“We are determined to find those responsible for Elle’s death and put them behind bars.”

In addition to the man already in custody, another Tranmere suspect who had previously been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder has been called back to prison.

Meanwhile, a 19-year-old Rock Ferry woman who was being held on suspicion of conspiracy to murder has been released on bail, police said.

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