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| Hundreds attend Meredith funeral | Hundreds attend Meredith funeral |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Hundreds of mourners have gathered for the funeral of the murdered student Meredith Kercher. | Hundreds of mourners have gathered for the funeral of the murdered student Meredith Kercher. |
| The 21-year-old from Coulsdon, south London, was found dead with her throat cut last month in Perugia, Italy, where she had been an exchange student. | The 21-year-old from Coulsdon, south London, was found dead with her throat cut last month in Perugia, Italy, where she had been an exchange student. |
| Her family were joined by many well-wishers at Croydon Parish Church, south London, including friends from Leeds University, where she studied. | Her family were joined by many well-wishers at Croydon Parish Church, south London, including friends from Leeds University, where she studied. |
| Three people, including her American flatmate, remain in custody in Italy. | Three people, including her American flatmate, remain in custody in Italy. |
| It is important at a funeral like this that we try to remember things that are happy and good Rev Colin Boswell | It is important at a funeral like this that we try to remember things that are happy and good Rev Colin Boswell |
| Ms Kercher's parents Arline and John, her sister Stephanie, and brothers John and Lyle, were the last to arrive at the church. | |
| They followed Ms Kercher's coffin which was surrounded by colourful floral tributes and a photograph of the young woman. | |
| Meredith Kercher was a student in Perugia, Italy | |
| Among the tributes at the church was one with the word Mez, Ms Kercher's nickname, spelt out in small yellow flowers. | |
| There was also a small bouquet with a card marked "The City of Perugia". | |
| Another tribute read simply: "You will always be in our hearts." | |
| The service was led by the vicar of Croydon, the Rev Colin Boswell. | The service was led by the vicar of Croydon, the Rev Colin Boswell. |
| 'Sexual motive' | |
| Speaking afterwards, he said: "It is important at a funeral like this that we try to remember things that are happy and good. | Speaking afterwards, he said: "It is important at a funeral like this that we try to remember things that are happy and good. |
| "Or else only evil and not very creative things take over and we have got to try and rise above that." | "Or else only evil and not very creative things take over and we have got to try and rise above that." |
| The funeral was followed by a private burial at Mitcham Road Cemetery, near Croydon. | The funeral was followed by a private burial at Mitcham Road Cemetery, near Croydon. |
| Italian police said there may have been a sexual motive behind Ms Kercher's death. | Italian police said there may have been a sexual motive behind Ms Kercher's death. |
| Her American flatmate Amanda Knox, 20, Italian Raffaele Sollecito, 23, and Rudy Hermann Guede, 20, remain in custody in Italy. | Her American flatmate Amanda Knox, 20, Italian Raffaele Sollecito, 23, and Rudy Hermann Guede, 20, remain in custody in Italy. |
| Congolese bar owner Diya "Patrick" Lumumba, 38, has been released from prison but remains a suspect in the case. All four deny any involvement. | Congolese bar owner Diya "Patrick" Lumumba, 38, has been released from prison but remains a suspect in the case. All four deny any involvement. |