2:36pm Monday 19th June 2006
By Vicky O'Hare
A LIFELONG friend has spoken of the shock and disbelief that overwhelmed her when she found out Jolene Colpus had been murdered.
Tara Vanhinsbergh, who had known Miss Colpus since she was four years old, raised the alarm after she was unable to contact her friend on her mobile phone.
The 19-year-old, of Quilter Road, Brighton Hill, Basingstoke, said she and her mother went round to the teenager's flat in Winterthur Way, but were unable to get an answer.
They became worried after discovering windows had been left ajar and a television and bathroom light were on inside the flat. They immediately called the police, who broke in and found Miss Colpus' body.
Miss Vanhinsbergh said: "I was in hysterics. I couldn't believe it. I keep thinking I'm dreaming.
"It has come as a terrible shock."
Miss Vanhinsbergh added she had always been very close to Miss Colpus, who was regarded as part of the family.
She said: "I have known Jolene since we went to playschool. I looked on her as my sister. She was bubbly, bright and she was always happy. I couldn't get a friend like that again.
"She was a brilliant girl. She would do anything for anybody. I just want the person who did this to be brought to justice."
Tributes to Miss Colpus have been paid by friends and neighbours, and floral tributes and messages have been left outside her flat.
Former housemate Hayley Houston, 18, from Hatch Warren Lane, Basingstoke, said: "She was a great person. I lived with her when she was in Penn House before she moved to Victory Hill. She was really lovely. I still used to see her and she used to come into town with me.
"I last saw her about two weeks ago, but I didn't really have the chance to stop and talk. She just got involved with one too many wrong people."
Friend Lucy Breen, 20, from Quilter Road, Brighton Hill, said: "I've known her since she was five. I went to primary school with her and she used to come over to mine for sleepovers and parties."
County and borough councillor Jane Frankum has lived in Abbey Road - where the murder victim's family live - for 35 years.
She said: "We know Marcus her father as he is a taxi driver, but they keep themselves to themselves. They have lived here for a long time - probably 15 years - so we used to see Jolene. It is just absolutely devastating."
Miss Colpus studied hairdressing and beauty therapy at BCOT, in Worting Road, Basingstoke, from September 2002 to October 2003.
Beverley Flanagan, assistant principal at the college, said: "Jolene achieved her level one qualification with us and left after a year. The hairdressing team at the college want to express their deep sadness at what has happened."
© Copyright 2001-2010 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.thisishampshire.net