Family of tragic Keighley boy Riley Turner say thanks for community's support (From Keighley News)

Family of tragic Keighley boy Riley Turner say thanks for community's support

12:00pm Thursday 31st January 2013 in Keighley By Chris Young

The family of Riley Turner have thanked the community for their support following his tragic death last week.

The four-year-old was found in his Harewood Road house in the Bracken Bank area of Keighley on January 20 by his distraught mother, Sharon Smith, and stepfather, Guy Earwaker. Riley was rushed to Airedale Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

A police manhunt eventually saw 32-year-old Anwar Rosser arrested in Ingrow in connection with the incident. He has since been charged with Riley’s murder.

In their first official statement since his death, Riley’s family thanked the people of Keighley for their support, and described him as a “bubbly happy child”. They also released the first official picture of Riley since his death, showing the boy smiling in his Worth Valley Primary School uniform. The family statement said: “We would like to thank members of the Keighley community for their support and kind wishes.

“Riley was a bubbly, happy child and loved dearly by his family.”

Riley was a twin brother to Kenzie Turner. Bradford Council has offered counselling to the local community and Riley’s school friends.

Cheryl Edge, headteacher at Worth Valley Primary School, also paid tribute to a “lively and enthusiastic boy with a cheeky sense of humour”.

Bracken Bank residents have arranged a benefit night on Saturday at the estate’s Bracken Arms pub to support the family.

The event, from 1pm, will feature a raffle, auction and performances by singers.

Prizes donated by local businesses, include a signed Bradford Bulls shirt.

Rosser, of Harewood Road, will appear before Bradford Crown Court in April for a plea hearing.