A family has paid tribute to their ‘gorgeous George’ Low at his funeral after he was killed on a holiday in Cyprus
17:00, 12 September 2016
updated: 17:04, 12 September 2016
A family has paid tribute to their ‘gorgeous George’ at his funeral after he was killed on a holiday in Cyprus.
George, 22, of Ladywood Road, Dartford, and his friend Ben Barker were walking in the clubbing resort of Ayia Napa at around 3.20am on August 14.
Witnesses say they saw two men armed with knives stab the victims and then flee in different directions.
Mr Low suffered a fatal blow to his neck, while Mr Barker was stabbed four times in the back, but survived.
His funeral on Friday was held at St Margaret’s Church in Darenth Hill.
The turnout overwhelmed friends and family, and people wore silly shirts in honour of George for the wake at Princes Park stadium.
There was even a video booth on the day for people to share stories of George.
A tribute from the family described George as a gorgeous son, fantastic brother, loving grandson and playful uncle who bought a smile and joy to everyone that met him.
From an early age George was the centre of attention, he was born with two teeth and drew crowds of doctors and nurses, all wanting to see ‘the baby with teeth’.
The cheeky child grew into a cheeky adult and friends still laugh about a holiday with him as a boy, when on a school skiing trip he turned up to breakfast wearing only a mankini and singing Happy Birthday to his teacher.
He attended Axton Chase School – now Longfield Academy – and played football for Longfield Tigers.
Before his job as an estate agent, he also dabbled in retail, and worked for a time at Ann Summers in Bluewater, but he soon knuckled down and was saving hard for a deposit for a house, with big plans to start a portfolio of properties.
The family eulogy on behalf of his mother Helen, father Martyn and siblings, Laura, Wesley, Millie, Oliver, read: “We cannot put into words how totally devastated and heartbroken our family are feeling.
"The love and support that we have received from all our family and friends is helping us immensely in seeing us through this difficult time.
“There has always been something amazingly special about George he drew people to him, he was captivating, charismatic, interesting, funny, upbeat, lively, loving sensitive and uplifting, if anyone was upset or sad he always had the magic touch of making you smile and happy again.
“Our hearts have be shattered into a million pieces and our lives will never be the same without you here with our family.
“Our love for you George will never falter it’ll just get stronger and our precious memories of you will keep you alive in our hearts forever.
“Keep chatting and flirting with the angels gorgeous George.”
Two men wanted over the death of Mr Low have still not been handed over to the authorities.
He was attacked in the southern, Greek-controlled, section of the island. But Turkish Cypriot police captured Mehmet Akpinar, 22, and Salih Ahmet, 43, in Kyrenia on August 19 in the north. They detained them for illegally crossing into the north through a military area, but not in connection with the murder.
The two are being tried in a military court.
A written request has been submitted to a special UN committee for Akpinar and Ahmet to be handed over to the Greek Cypriot police, but that has not yet been actioned.
However a 48-year-old woman held in connection with his murder appeared in court on Friday and pleaded not guilty to being an accessory after the fact.
Koulla Anastasiou, who admitted to helping her wanted boyfriend Akpinar escape after the killing of Mr Low, was remanded in custody until September 21, when court resumes.
Mr Baker is now on the road to recovery.
Speaking to the BBC he said: “I’m up and about, I’m moving. The doctor’s couldn’t tell me how lucky I was. I was unbelievably lucky to survive what I did. I wish some of that luck was with George as well.
“He would have loved this, and all the attention he’s getting, without a doubt
“But he wasn’t without his sincere moments and he definitely would have shed a few tears today.”