A GRIEVING family have spoken of their shock and upset after flowers and cards left in tribute Amanda Cross went missing.

The flowers were left by several members of Amanda’s family in Green Lane in South Chard after her death, but were no longer there when Amanda’s husband Stephen visited the site on last week.

Avon and Somerset Police launched a missing person search after Amanda was reported missing from her home on Tuesday, March 29. Her body was found the next day.

Speaking to the Chard and Ilminster News, Stephen Cross, Amanda’s husband, said: “I couldn’t believe it. I went down at the weekend, on Saturday, and Amanda’s daughters went down there earlier that morning and my mum went down that day as well.

“My daughter said they were there on Sunday evening. Me, Amanda’s mum, her brother and my daughters all left flowers. There were about six or seven bunches and cards as well.

“Amanda was a lovely person, a wonderful person. She always put other people first.”

Amanda and Stephen have two daughters, Hannah and Amy, and four grandchildren.

Amy, 21, Amanda’s youngest daughter, said: “She was loving and just great at being a nanny, a mum, a wife, and all the other relations really.

“She was always looking out for people and she was always making sure someone else was ok.”

Yesterday tributes were paid by friends of Amanda’s family, led by Cllr Dave Bulmer, the mayor of Chard.

He said: “It’s such a sad loss for the family, and all of my thoughts are with them at this very difficult time.

“I have a great deal of sympathy for the family, to lose somebody so close in such tragic circumstances must be really hard to take.

“My partner goes on social media a lot and she said there’s been a lot of comments, which just goes to show how much of a tragic loss it has been.

“If I can do anything for the family, in a personal or in my mayoral role, then I will and all of my thoughts are with them at this difficult time.”

People also took to social media to post their own tributes.

Gemma Green posted on Facebook: “So sad, thoughts are with her mum and daughters.”

Phillippa Rex also posted: “Terrible news - sending love.”

Carol Packer said: “Really sad news. Thinking of them all x”

Shimmy Sansom said: “Thoughts go out to her family. RIP.”

Chrissy Smith posted: “I was at school with Amanda and although we lost touch many years ago I’m really sad to hear this news much love sent to all her family.”

Tracey Bodily said: “Sending lots of love to her family, I too was at school with Amanda and along with Chrissy Smith we went to her wedding, but lost touch a long time ago.”

Donna Marie commented: “Such a beautiful life gone far too soon thinking of all who knew her especially her children and grandchildren.”

Jenny Browne added: “Our thoughts are with all her family, such sad news.”