Ipswich: Family’s tributes to loving son and brother Christopher Thompson

Christopher Thompson with relatives (Image: Archant)

They also believe his murderers Christopher Wilson and Deanna Stanton should spend the rest of their lives in prison for what they did.

The pair were convicted at Ipswich Crown Court yesterday of the 35-year-old’s murder in Chantry Park on November 15 last year. Wilson was also found guilty of perverting the course of justice. They are now waiting to be sentenced.

Those closest to Mr Thompson acknowledge he had a problem with alcohol, but stressed he would never drink in the street nor was he homeless.

His elder sister Michelle said: “You couldn’t wish for a better brother. He was younger than me by two years, but he was like an older brother.

“If anything went wrong with my car or I needed something done, he did it.

“He was so, so generous.

“He was so caring, but he was quite a closed person as far as his feelings were concerned. You would not know how he was feeling but you would know he cared.”

Speaking about the effect of her brother’s murder, the 38-year-old said: “It’s been life-changing. I can’t enjoy anything any more. Chrissy’s loss is just absolutely devastating. He didn’t deserve anything like that. He wasn’t violent in the slightest.”

His younger sister Nicci, 33, said: “When I was a kid I always looked up to Chrissy. He was my big brother and I just wanted to be like him.

“He loved us. He absolutely adored us.”

Nicci said if her brother ever thought any of his family were going through a difficult time he would make sure they knew he was there for them.

“He would come and sit with you and make his presence known, but he wouldn’t counsel you. He would just be there.

“Our lives will never be the same. To this day I still think he’s going to be there.”

Mr Thompson looked after Nicci’s dog Garth after she could no longer care for him and the pair became inseparable.

Michelle said: “Everywhere I saw Chrissy, the dog was with him. Less than two months after Chrissy died the dog died. I think he pined for Chrissy.”

Mr Thompson was brought up in Pickwick Road, Ipswich, and went to Chantry High School.

His father left home to live in Wales when Mr Thompson was young and his dad’s departure was said to have had a big effect on him.

A keen Liverpool fan, the 35-year-old was a ground worker.

However, his family said he was very practical and could turn his hand to anything.

Mr Thompson’s mother Liz also spoke of the depth of her despair over the loss of her only son.

She said: “He was my life. I have got my girls and I love them just as much, but they have settled down and I’m just so used to having him there.

“I miss him so much. Life’s never going to be the same without him. I feel lost now. I loved him to bits.

“Chrissy lived with me at our home near Chantry Park. He came from a loving family and my life revolved around him.

“I enjoyed caring for him and now he has been taken from us I feel lost and empty.

“Chrissy has had his own difficulties, but he was much-loved and supported by all of his family.

“Chrissy would have loved to have had a family of his own, but this opportunity was taken away from him and I do not have any grandchildren to help remember him by.

“We are in shock and cannot believe another human being could do this to Chrissy. It is absolutely senseless and the suffering he would have endured haunts us to this day.”