A DEVASTATED family has told how their “bright and caring” daughter tragically took her own life after months of vile abuse from her controlling boyfriend.
Skye Nicholls was just 23 when she was found dead at her home, on June 9, 2023 – around seven months after she began a toxic relationship with James Edwards.
Her family have now spoken of the devastating impact of her death, saying their lives have been left shattered.
But cops later discovered she had been subjected to a campaign of verbal abuse during the relationship.
Edwards, from Horndean, Hampshire, threatened Skye with physical violence and subjected her to vile insults – on occasions he also told her to kill herself.
The sickening abuse came to light as officers investigated her death.
Edwards was later charged with two counts of engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour.
He pleaded guilty to both offences on September 1 last year.
Edwards was jailed for two years and three months on November 7, but had his sentence reduced to 21 months following an appeal in February.
Skye’s dad Andrew said the loss of his daughter had left a “very big hole” in his life and shattered the whole family.
He said: “There is no stronger relationship than the one between a father and a daughter. Sadly my dad and daughter bond was cut short on 9th June 2023.
“Skye’s passing has left a very big hole in my life. Not only that, it has had a massive impact on us all as a whole family. This family is now broken.
“I found returning to work very difficult. After a short compassionate leave period, with people asking how you are, having to explain that Skye is no longer with us was so hard and upsetting, and still is.
“The fact that she will never walk through the door with that beautiful smile and infectious personality really hurts.
“They say with time things do feel better – they don’t.”
Andrew said family celebrations had also been transformed by the tragedy.
He added: “Family celebrations are not really ‘celebrations’ anymore since the light that lit up those Christmases and birthdays was turned off on that horrific day.
“No electrician in the world can fix that. Only the spark that was Skye could do that – tearfully that is not possible.”
Skye’s mum Ashlie said she felt as though “the world stopped” on the day her daughter was found.
She said: “She was a bright, vivacious, kind and caring young woman who I miss dreadfully.
“I miss our telephone chats and meeting for lunch. I miss her at birthdays and Christmases as she was the driving force behind the celebrations.
“Life feels less bright, like a light has gone out.”
Ashlie said she was heartbroken that her daughter would never fulfil her hopes for the future.
She added: “I mourn for the grownup mother and daughter relationship we were starting to have.
“That she will never realise her dream of a supportive, caring partner and children is heartbreaking.”
The family are also living with the trauma suffered by Skye’s brother, who found her after she took her own life.
Ashlie said: “I fear for my son’s mental health due to the trauma he suffered on finding Skye and worry about him constantly.”
She said her daughter’s absence was still “as keenly felt today as it was the day she died”.
The family are now facing birthdays, Christmases and other milestones without the young woman they say was at the heart of their celebrations.
Ashlie added: “Family occasions, which Skye loved, will never be the same again as a large part of our family is now missing and her loss is as keenly felt today as it was the day she died.”
