Bernadette Lee (left)
with her older sister Jodie Lee

by Beth Robson

The older sister of Bernadette Lee, who tragically died in
the snow after a night out in Deal, has paid a heartfelt tribute to
her "best friend, sister and soul mate".

Speaking for the first time since the 25-year-old teeth whitening technician was discovered dead, Jodie Lee has spoken of how she feels "robbed".

Bernadette (pictured below right) had been out in Deal with
friends and was due to stay with a friend in her flat near to the
town centre.

But a catalogue of unfortunate events meant she was stuck out in
sub-zero temperatures in the early hours, before tragically losing
her life close to her sister's house in Church Meadows.

Jodie, 33, said she is devastated by the loss of someone she
loved so much and who was "loved by a lot of people".

Last week, Kent Police said Bernadette was due to be
staying at her sister's house.

But Jodie said: "There was no intention for her to stay at my
house. I would never, ever neglect her. She came to my house as a
last resort."

She added: "She was out with her friends and I had lost my key
so I stayed at a friend's.

"If she was staying at my house we would have stayed together
and she would have come home with me."

The sisters were closer than close. Bernadette sometimes had a
key to Jodie's house to come and go as she pleased. She was
described as a "wonderful aunty" to Jodie's son Dylan, nine, and
one day she wanted a family of her own.

"She was my world," Jodie added. "I feel robbed. I wish I could
have had more adventures with her."

On the night she died, the pair had met for a drink at
Bernadette's friend's flat before going to the Port Arms and then
to Rivals.

When they were separated, she got a lift with other friends to
what she thought was a party at a house in Middle Deal Road.

The arrangements then changed, so she made her way to Jodie's
house in nearby Church Meadows.

Jodie said: "She didn't try to phone me. If she had phoned
me I would have picked up."

Floral tributes at the
spot where Bernadette Lee died in the snow

Bernadette had tried to phone the friend she was supposed to be
staying with, but her phone was engaged.

Bernadette was found on the lawn of Jodie's next-door neighbour
by a dog walker at 7.30am last Sunday.

She had not taken a coat out with her and her shoes and handbag
were found by the back gate.

Jodie, who does not share the same mother as Bernadette, said:
"Her mumtold her to put
a coat on, but it was expensive and she didn't want to lose it.

"she was my best friend, my sister and my soul mate..." – jodie lee

"And she was staying with her friend not far from town so she
didn't wear one."

Jodie said Bernadette, who enjoyed going out with friends, loved
life and she lived it to the full.

"She wanted to do more travelling. She was a free spirit. She
was more like my older sister, giving me advice.

"She was my best friend, my sister and my soul mate," she
added.

The cause of Bernadette's death had not been established.

More tests were needed and there will be an inquest conducted at
a later date.

No funeral date has been arranged. Flowers are welcomed. For more information, phone EB Cavells on 01304 373275.

Did you know Bernadette? Leave your tributes below.