Family of murdered Leah Ware give heartbreaking tribute in Hove

Mark Brown killed both Leah Ware and Alexandra Morgan at a remote farm near St Leonards after meeting them through a sex work website, a jury at Hove Crown Court was told.

Brown put 34-year-old Ms Morgan head-first into a home-made incinerator before dumping her remains.

The body of 33-year-old Ms Ware has never been found, but the prosecution believe he used a similar method – as well as also killing her Pomeranian dog, Lady.

• READ MORE: Judge pleads with double murderer to tell first victim's family what he did with body

Brown was today convicted of murdering Ms Ware in May and Ms Morgan in November.

After the case, a statement was read on the court steps by Sussex Police DCI Andy Wolstenholme.

It said: “We are truly devastated that Leah has been ripped from our lives in such inhumane circumstances.

“It breaks our hearts to think of what she went through in the time leading up to her murder.

 “Leah was a kind, loving, generous and beautiful young woman who should have had her whole life ahead of her.

Undated picture of Leah Ware (Image: Sussex Police)

“She loved and cherished her children and always wanted to do her best for them.

“She adored her animals and was devoted to her two dogs Lady and Duke and her horse Bertie.

“Leah did encounter challenges in her later life, but she always tried to see the good in everything and everyone.

“She was very trusting and cared deeply, and it was those qualities in Leah that Mark Brown exploited for his own gratification.

Leah Ware's family outside Hove Crown Court this afternoon (Image: Sussex News and Pictures)

“He betrayed Leah’s love and trust, and even now he won’t allow her the dignity and respect of a proper burial or allow us to have the answers we so desperately need and deserve.

“The feeling of loss is so hard for us all to bear, there will forever be a missing piece in our lives.

“We are truly devastated that Leah has been ripped from our lives in such inhumane circumstances.

“It breaks our hearts to think of what she went through in the time leading up to her murder.

“Leah will live on in the thoughts and memories of her family and friends and will never be forgotten.

Leah Ware (Image: Sussex Police)

“We will all make sure that Leah’s children grow up knowing who their mummy was.

“For people that didn’t know our Leah, she was fun, with a fabulous sense of humour and mischief.

“Our world will be a darker place without Leah who was a loving mother, daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece, cousin, and friend.

“We would like to pay tribute to Alexandra because without her the truth may not have been uncovered as quickly.

“Our thoughts will always be with Alex’s family.

“Thank you to the Investigation team and the family liaison officers who have worked so hard and supported us every step of the way.

“We please ask that we are all allowed time as a family to grieve and come to terms with our huge loss.”