Mum's tribute to 'kind and beautiful' daughter

The mother of a woman who died after being stabbed in the neck in Birmingham city centre has told the BBC her daughter was a "kind-hearted and beautiful person".

Katie Fox was attacked on Smallbrook Queensway near the Bullring shopping centre on 7 November, and died in hospital three days later.

Ahead of the 34-year-old's funeral on Monday, her mother Maria Fox described her as someone who was always thinking of others.

"She was a good girl. Honest. No drugs, no smoking, no drinking. She was just pure," her mother said.

Maria Fox, who lives in Bournville, said Katie had gone into Birmingham city centre in November to visit the Christmas market.

"I always asked her to ring me all the time," the mother said.

She told the BBC she did not hear from her that night, and at midnight police came and took her to the hospital.

"It was just one big nightmare. I don't think I'll ever get over this," she said.

Katie will be laid to rest at Buckfast Abbey in Devon after being carried there by horse and carriage and have a specially written song played in her memory.

The horses will be dressed up as unicorns and she will be buried in a pink coffin with doves released at her graveside.

Maria Fox and her husband had been planning to retire to Devon before Katie's death and took their house off the market when they received the news.

She said Devon had always been where they wanted to settle once they retired, with Katie due to make the move with them.

Katie "loved animals", her mother said, adding: "She cared for everybody".

"It shouldn't have happened."

Maria Fox said she wanted to see safety improvements in the city centre following her daughter's death, adding that she felt CCTV and police presence were not sufficient.

A GoFundMe page set up to support the family has raised more than £6,000.

Djeison Rafael has been charged with Katie's murder and is due to stand trial later this year.

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