THE family of murdered former Hampshire schoolgirl Joanna Yeates today issued a statement expressing their grief that their daughter had been "stolen" from them but said they were confident the killer would be caught.

In a statement read out by police by the Bristol riverside - one of Miss Yeates' favourite spots - they said their lives had stopped as soon as they knew she was missing.

Her boyfriend Greg Reardon also issued a statement in which he declared he would always love her but criticised the media's ''character assassination'' of ''as yet innocent men''.

Miss Yeates' parents David and Theresa, who live in Ampfield, near Romsey, said their “lives stopped from the time we knew Jo was missing”.

The couple said that they prepared themselves for the worst when they found out she was missing and took solace knowing her body had been found. They said they were confident the killer would be caught.

They said: “From the moment that we received Greg's phone call on Sunday December 19 until now, time has had no meaning.

“We had a bad feeling from that moment, which deepened when we arrived in Bristol.

“For us, it was surprisingly easy to see Jo but there was a deep sadness. It meant we could welcome her back.

“We dreaded going to our graves without knowing. In a very strange way, Jo's body being found was a relief.”

They thanked members of the public saying they had been overawed of the support since the tragic news their daughter was found strangled on Christmas Day, just a few miles from her home in Clifton, Bristol.

The emotional statement, which was read by Detective Constable Emma Davies from Avon and Somerset Police, added: "We will always miss the presence which came with her, hearing her voice, her lightness, and standing back with pride watching her grow through life."

“We gain a little solace from the fact that the high point in Jo's life was her graduation in November, when her life was 'perfect'.

“Our grief and sadness includes the experiences which she missed out on, in terms of family and children and rising through her profession.

“Our thoughts and emotions at this time are solely with Jo.”

The statement said that Miss Yeates, a landscape architect, was “a beautiful and talented young lady who was destined to fly high. Her life was stolen from her and she was stolen from us."

Her boyfriend's statement said: “Jo loved it here by Bristol harbourside and found great joy in the rowing club.

He added: “Jo was a beautiful woman in mind, body and soul with a great career ahead of her. I will always love her.”

But apparently referring to reports about murder suspect Chris Jefferies, the couple's landlord, he went on: “Jo's life was cut short tragically but the finger-pointing and character assassination by social and news media of as yet innocent men has been shameful.”

However he thanked “those who showed so much love for Jo in the events following her disappearance” and who had dropped everything to campaign for her to be found.

Mr Reardon added: “The memory of Jo will always be with me as I look across the harbour and remember our unforgettable and special times together.”