Post date: May 24, 2013 3:46:18 PM
The family of a British soldier murdered on a south London street gave a news conference on Friday (May 24) and said he was a "family man" who "loved life".
BURY, MANCHESTER, ENGLAND, UK (MAY 24, 2013) (UK POO) - The family of murdered soldier Lee Rigby gave a news conference on Friday (May 24) and said it had always been his dream to join the army.
His wife Rebecca Rigby was joined by his step-father Ian Rigby and his mother Lyn Rigby at the Regimental headquarters of his unit, the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, in Bury in Greater Manchester in the north of England.Fighting back tears Rebecca Rigby said, "I just want to say that I love Lee, I always will and I'm proud to be his wife. He was due to come up this weekend so we could continue our future together as a family. He was a devoted father to our son Jack and we will both miss him terribly."
Drummer Rigby had served in Afghanistan and was attached to the Regimental Recruiting Team when he was hacked to death in broad daylight on Wednesday afternoon (May 22) in Woolwich, south-eastLondon.
His step-father Ian Rigby said Lee adored his job and described him as a family man.
"He was over the moon being a dad and an uncle and he adored all his family, Lee was a man who loved people. He had many friends growing up in Middleton and on army duties all over the the world where he'd been sent. He believed life was for living and he will be sorely missed by all who knew him," he added.
Two suspects were shot and arrested at the scene of the killing.
Michael Adebolajo, 28 and Michael Adebowale, 22, are under guard in hospitals but they have not yet been charged.
Adebolajo, filmed justifying the killing as he stood near the body holding a knife and meat cleaver in bloodied hands, was born in Britain to a Nigerian immigrant family.
Adebowale is a naturalized British citizen born in Nigeria.
Another man and a woman have also been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder, an early indication that police are investigating whether the attack was part of a wider plot.