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Grandparents of Yazmina Howard reveal heartache one year after teen's tragic death from M20 bridge

The grandparents of a pregnant teenager who jumped to her death after previously surviving a seven-storey fall in her mother's arms say they still go into her room and talk to her every night.

Yazmina Howard, 18, from Maidstone, was pronounced dead a year ago, on October 1, 2018, after she fell from a bridge crossing the M20 at Larkfield.

Yazmina Howard was remembered by her grandparents as "beautiful, inside and out" (4571768)
Yazmina Howard was remembered by her grandparents as "beautiful, inside and out" (4571768)

Her mother, Maxine Carr, also leapt to her death from her flat in 2003, clutching hold of three-year-old Yazmina, after believing her abusive former boyfriend planned to kidnap their daughter.

The toddler miraculously escaped alive, but suffered a number of broken bones in her arm, rib and jaw and damage to the back of her skull.

Then, a decade-and-a-half on, Yazmina, who it later emerged was 14 weeks pregnant, tragically fell to the same fate, less than a month after having to be talked down from the same bridge.

Speaking on the anniversary of her death, grandparents Michael and Janet, who adopted and raised her, explained how the last year has been the most difficult of their lives.

"We've just been lost," said Mrs Howard.

Yazmina's grandparents Janet and Michael Howard (4606263)
Yazmina's grandparents Janet and Michael Howard (4606263)

"You miss the little things like her coming to have little talks about her friends or her relationships or how she was getting on at college.

"I still go into her bedroom every night and just talk to her about what we've been doing that day, what we've bought at the shops, and how much we love her and miss her.

Mr Howard added that he felt more funding and resources was needed to help young people suffering from mental health issues.

"It's so sad because Yazmina obviously covered a lot of it up - I think a lot of parents and grandparents can't always see that something isn't right," he said.

"We tried to give her everything she needed, I don't think she ever went without.

Yazmina as a young girl with mum Maxine Carr, who killed herself (4606259)
Yazmina as a young girl with mum Maxine Carr, who killed herself (4606259)

"She used to write us little letters sometimes, and they'd say something like 'if you buy me this for Christmas, I won't ask for anything else'.

"She never used to answer back or misbehave, she was just the most beautiful granddaughter."

In a handwritten note for her, they added: "Yaz, to lose you was the saddest thing that ever could occur, but you left behind the gentleness that made who you were.

"We love and miss you so very much. You will never be forgotten. Always with us. Night night. God bless, Nan and Grandad."

Some members of the family will head to the bridge this evening and release lanterns in her memory.

Michael and Janet Howard's handwritten note to tragic granddaughter Yazmina (18203262)
Michael and Janet Howard's handwritten note to tragic granddaughter Yazmina (18203262)

If you need help on an emotional issue you can call the Samaritans free, at any time, on 116 123.

Read more: All the latest news from Maidstone

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