Family's love for 'brave' daughter murdered in Brighton

By Sally Nancarrow
BBC News, Tunbridge Wells

Andrea Waddell studied at Durham and Sussex universities

The family of murder victim Andrea Waddell have spoken of their pride to have had her in their lives for 29 "wonderful" years.

They supported her through the pain of serious illness diagnosed at the age of 14 and through a change of gender from man to woman in her 20s.

They have now endured the shock of her murder in Brighton and the discovery that she was working as a prostitute.

And they have sat through the trial of her client Neil McMillan.

He has been found guilty of murdering Ms Waddell at her flat in Upper Lewes Road last October. Sentencing has still to take place.

Asked whether finding out the truth about her daughter's life tested her love, Sonia Waddell replied: "Oh no, we just accept Andrea.

"Her desperately sad death just helps me to understand all those other poor girls in that situation and any family in this situation.

"I just suffer for them."

'Difficult moments'

Mrs Waddell, a Quaker, and her husband Robin live in Reading, Berkshire.

Attending the month-long trial with their son Nick was a way of continuing their unwavering support for Ms Waddell.

"We want to show the world that we are here for her, even through the most difficult moments in the trial," said her mother.

Andrea was born Alexander John and grew up in Reading.

Sonia and Nick Waddell said they wanted to tell their side of the story

By the age of 14, Alex had been diagnosed with scoliosis, a severe sideways curvature of the spine, and at 17, in a six-hour operation, his spine was fused and metal rods inserted.

Following this he developed fibromyalgia, a syndrome which causes muscle pain, abdominal problems, sleeplessness and depression.

He went to Durham University to study philosophy, where he underwent hormone treatment and became a woman.

As Andrea, she studied for an MA in social and political thought at the University of Sussex.

After suffering from colitis, her colon was removed. Then, finally, she underwent a sex-change operation.

'Valiant daughter'

Mrs Waddell believes it was her daughter's fierce desire for independence which led her to prostitution.

"I used to call her my valiant daughter because ever since she became afflicted with fibromyalgia, she had constant muscular pain and depression," she said.

Mrs Waddell and Nick said she was unable to carry heavy items or even to comb her own hair because of the pain.

"She wouldn't have been able to sit in an office all day - that would have been too painful," said Mrs Waddell.

"I know she worried about being a financial burden on her family.

Neil McMillan was charged with murder five days after Ms Waddell's death

"My goodness, we would have given her anything but she wanted to be independent.

"All right, we didn't know about it at the time but my golly... she was brave and super and amazing."

Ms Waddell, who was also known as Fuschia, advertised her services as a prostitute and model on various websites.

She also trained as a masseuse and aromatherapist at Brighton and Hove City College.

Nick Waddell said the family found McMillan's trial at Lewes Crown Court very difficult.

"It is very emotional to live through those awful moments again (when) Andrea isn't being portrayed as the wonderful, rounded, vibrant, passionate person that we knew and loved.

"We are here to tell that side of the story - to show that she was such a special and vital part of our family.

"Andrea saw herself as a woman, but she was originally my brother.

"We are so proud that she had the courage to go through with that and be true to herself.

"We are just so pleased and proud that we knew her and she was part of our lives for 29 wonderful, wonderful years."