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'Stunning, amazing' teenager taken to concert as treat by stepdad dies with him in Manchester blast

Philip Tron had taken his stepdaughter to the concert for a treat - Facebook
Philip Tron had taken his stepdaughter to the concert for a treat - Facebook

Courtney Boyle, 18, and Philip Tron, 32, from Gateshead, have been confirmed as dead by family after the Manchester terror attack on the Ariana Grande concert.

Tributes to the pair have been released through Greater Manchester Police.

Courtney's mother said: "My stunning amazing beautiful daughter you were my rock you made me so proud with all you had achieved and my gorgeous crazy Philip you made my world a happy place and now you are both my angels flying high in the sky."

Her father said: "I am going to miss my baby girl Courtney Boyle for the rest of my life.   I will never forget you and I will love you forever.   Grandad Bob misses you loads also."

Courtney Boyle - Credit: Facebook
Courtney Boyle Credit: Facebook

And her sister wrote: "Courtney my wonder of a sister who is now a shining yellow star in the sky. "Phil, my stepdad, my costa buddy, you were always there no matter what to keep me safe and make me happy."

Her stepfather had taken her to the concert and they hadn't been seen or heard from since.

His mother said: " "Firstly, we would like to thank the emergency services, police, nurses, support staff, family & friends and the people of Manchester for their continued help and support which they have given us throughout this harrowing time.

"Our most amazing son, partner, brother, father, uncle, nephew and cousin, Philip Tron, sadly passed away on the 22nd May 2017. Philip was such a fun loving, energetic soul, he would light up the darkest room and lift your spirits with his infectious laugh, witty sense of humour and his beautiful smile.

"Words cannot express the huge void his passing has left in all our lives."

Friends and family expressed their sorrow
Friends and family expressed their sorrow

Courtney's boyfriend expressed his sorrow, writing: " My Courtney was an adventurer, a precious & joyous soul. She made people feel loved and feel safe. She was a soulmate, a friend, a daughter and a sister. No one had what that lass had, she was like no other. And she was on a path to fulfilment, and was happy when she passed. Nobody has ever made me as happy as her and I'm the person I am today because of her.  "

Professor Peter Slee, Vice Chancellor at Leeds Beckett University, said: “The whole University community is deeply saddened by this tragic news.  Our hearts go out to Courtney’s family at this terribly distressing time. 

“Courtney was a lovely, bright and hardworking student who had achieved excellent marks in her first semester with us.  She was enjoying University life and had built strong friendships.  For all of these reasons, she is a great loss to the University and to her fellow students.

“You will appreciate the impact that this has had on our students and staff.  Our Chaplaincy and wider Support Services have been in contact with Courtney’s many friends at the University, and we will continue to support them and any other of our students and staff who have been affected.”

Family and friends searched for days for the pair.

Deborah Hutchinson wrote on Facebook: "My daughter Courtney Boyle and partner Philip Tron have gone missing tonight in a attack at Manchester tonight please share and help find them I need them home safe".

Explosion rocks Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, in pictures

Mrs Hutchinson was in Manchester waiting for them to be found.

A family member of one of the people still listed as missing following Monday's deadly suicide attack has gone on social media to say "things aren't looking too great".

On Wednesday night Nicole posted on Facebook: "We just want  to say a huge thank you for all of the love and support we've gotten off everyone, and we are nothing but grateful.

"Unfortunately, we know that things aren't too great but are still awaiting confirmation."

Courtney Boyle, a Criminology and Psychology student at Leeds Beckett University, was at the concert with her step-father Philip Tron. 

Philip Tron pictured with his partner, Deboran Hutchinson - Credit: Facebook
Philip Tron pictured with his partner, Deboran Hutchinson Credit: Facebook

A family friend of the pair wrote on Tuesday: "Just to clear this up ... Philip Tron and Courtney Boyle  have not been found!

"We are doing everything in our power to get them all home safe .. I have rang and logged them missing with the incident room, called all of the hospitals and am just waiting for news ... please please please can we continue to share their photos so we can get them all back to us .. thank you so much for all of your help so far xx"

Family friend Karen Gill wrote on Facebook: Fly so high beautiful girl you will continue your path of greatness up in heaven .. thankyou for being an amazing and caring friend to lucy always no matter where you were or what you were doing  #friends.. you will always be in my thoughts courtney and my heart is breaking for your mam nicole and families ."

Previously, Ken Mullen, uncle to dad-of-one Philip, said the plumber and ­Courtney’s mum had taken Philip’s mum to Manchester ­shopping for the day before dropping Nicole off at the concert.

Ken, 67, said: “Philip and Courtney went across to the Arena at the end to collect her. They were heading towards the foyer where the bomb went off.” Philip’s brothers, Michael, 28, and Andrew, 33, travelled from Tyneside to Manchester in the early hours.

Philip’s ex-wife Rachel Nesbitt, 32, said on Tuesday: “I got a message just before he went to the concert venue at 5.20pm. He replied to my message and just wrote ‘No bother’. “Our daughter is with my mother. I don’t know what to tell her, I am keeping her away from the TV news.”

Key articles | Manchester Arena explosion