THE family of 18-year-old Melissa Mathieson who died after she was attacked in Bristol has released a statement after a man was convicted of her murder.

Jason Conroy, 19, was found guilty of the murder of Melissa Mathieson at Bristol Crown Court yesterday.

Melissa, 18, died in hospital a few days after she was attacked by Conroy on October 12 last year in the assisted living accommodation the pair resided at in Bristol. 

Her family have said Melissa’s death has left a huge hole in their lives.


In a statement, they added: "She always brought a bit of a challenge in all our lives, and things were quiet without her when she stayed at different places during her last 10 months. 

"We keep thinking we are going to see her bound through the doors. But now that she is not here at all – it’s the emptiness that is overwhelming. 

"Melissa did not have a nasty bone in her body; she was a gentle, kind and lovely girl. 

"We know better than most people the difficulties that autism can present so our feelings about Jason Conroy are not based on ignorance of his condition. 

"What he has done is awful; we cannot comprehend it. He has deprived a brother of his sister. 

"He has deprived us parents of the privilege of watching our daughter to continue to blossom, thrive, grow up and have children of her own - because she would have got through her difficulties and gone on to have the future life that she wanted within the community. 

"It has been incredibly difficult to sit through the trial and listen to the evidence, especially the history of Jason Conroy’s previous sexually deviant and aggressive behaviour.

"Melissa believed wholeheartedly that the care system was the safest place to be to help her with her difficulties. 

"We feel that there are still many questions that need to be answered by many organisations, including Social Services and the NHS, about how Melissa and Jason Conroy came to be in a situation which ultimately led to Melissa’s death. 

"We welcome the ongoing Safeguarding Adults Review and do not feel it would be appropriate to comment further whilst that process is still ongoing."

Senior investigating officer Andrew Mott said: “This was a desperately sad case in which a young person’s life was cut tragically short. 

“It has been a complex investigation which involved carrying out a number of psychiatric assessments on the defendant. 

“At the beginning of the investigation we made a referral to the Bristol Safeguarding Adults Board. As a result of this, a Safeguarding Adults Review is currently ongoing. 

“I would like to pay tribute to Melissa’s family who have shown the utmost support for the criminal investigation and legal process.”