The foster sister of Danielle Waddington today rubbished stories of family rifts and binge drinking as "preposterous".
Natalie Smith, 17, said 16-year-old Danielle from Wickford was a strong-minded, popular young woman with everything to live for.
She said: "I lived with her until three weeks ago. If anyone knew her it was me. It is preposterous to say she had troubles with her mum.
"People have said her mum didn't care for her but if you saw her mum you would know how much she cared.
She added: "Her mum bought her brand new trainers and gold. She had anything she wanted.
"Her mum would skint herself to get anything she wanted.
"Things weren't easy for her when her dad left home. She had two little brothers and the stress of her dad leaving was too much for her so she left home."
Published Thursday November 20, 2003
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