Advertisement

Mourners farewell Stephanie Scott

AAP

AAP

Family and friends have gathered for the funeral of school teacher Stephanie Scott in the New South Wales central west town of Eugowra where she was to be married.

The 26-year-old was last seen on Easter Sunday at the school where she taught in Leeton, in the Riverina region.

Ms Scott was allegedly murdered by the school cleaner at her workplace and her burned body was found in bushland 70 kilometres north of the NSW town.

‘Father’ of Stephanie’s alleged killer speaks
• Stephanie Scott’s accused killer ‘liked Nazi videos’
• Stephanie Scott’s remains formally identified

The Leeton community have paid their respects by closing businesses for part of Wednesday and gathering at a local park.

Stephanie Scott's family and friends gathered for her funeral in Eugowra, where she was to be married.

Stephanie Scott’s family and friends gathered for her funeral in Eugowra, where she was to be married. Photo: AAP

Leeton’s Anglican priest Father Robert Murphy said the community was supporting each other.

“The mood is a sombre mood, still a mood of disbelief that things like this don’t happen in our community, but the community has rallied together as you can see today,” he said.

She was farewelled at the same Eugowra function centre where she was due to marry earlier this month.

Ms Scott’s family has welcomed those who would like to pay their respects.

On social media, her sister Kim wrote: “She was a beautiful girl and we’d all love to see you to show your support for her.”

People travelled from the nearby town of Canowindra where Ms Scott grew up, where a gathering is due to be held at the town’s services club after the funeral and wake.

In the Riverina town of Leeton, where Ms Scott taught at Leeton High School, shops closed between 1:00pm and 2:00pm to coincide with the service and people lit candles in Mountford Park.

Ms Scott’s murder shocked and devastated people across Australia and thousands of people posted messages of support online for her fiancé Aaron Leeson-Woolley, family and friends ahead of the funeral.

“The whole nation is holding you all in their hearts,” one mourner wrote.

School cleaner Vincent Stanford remains in custody after being charged with Ms Scott’s death two weeks ago.

He is due to reappear in court in June.

ABC

Stay informed, daily
A FREE subscription to The New Daily arrives every morning and evening.
The New Daily is a trusted source of national news and information and is provided free for all Australians. Read our editorial charter
Copyright © 2024 The New Daily.
All rights reserved.