The murdered university student Libby Squire has been remembered as a “beautiful person” by hundreds of people who attended her funeral.

The 21-year-old went missing in Hull in the early hours of 1 February after a night out.

Miss Squire, who was studying at the University of Hull, was the subject of an extensive search and rescue operation before her body was found in the Humber Estuary on 20 March.

Her funeral was attended by at least 250 people on Thursday, including friends, family and community members.

The service took place at St Lawrence’s Church in West Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.

The coffin, which had flowers surrounding it, was transported to the church in a vintage black hearse.

Her mother Lisa and father Russell embraced as the coffin, covered with white roses, was taken inside.

A personal tribute and poem were read by her mother during the afternoon service.

Mrs Squire also thanked friends and family for their love and support, and told the service: “We would not have got through any of this without you.”

Among the flowers around the coffin was a bouquet from University of Hull students and staff with a card reading, “Rest in peace”.

Another bouquet had a card that read, “It broke our hearts to lose you”.

Reverend Jenny Ellis, who conducted the service, told mourners: “It’s a wonderful tribute for Libby and her family that so many of you are here today.

“Let’s make this a wonderful celebration of a beautiful person.”

Ms Ellis said the funeral was “absolutely essential” to give family, friends and the community closure.

She added: “The whole point is to draw a line under things and enable people to move on.

“The service was about letting her go.”

A video played during the funeral showed Miss Squire’s life in photos to the tune of Phil Collins’ You’ll Be In My Heart and Take That’s Shine.

In a post on Facebook last week, her mother asked mourners to take a photo of Miss Squire or a written memory of her to the service.

Miss Squire was last seen at about 12.09am on 1 February near her home in Hull and was reported missing later that morning.

An intensive search was launched by hundreds of officers as well as search specialists, dog handlers, underwater officers and the public.

Humberside Police confirmed in March that a body recovered from the Humber Estuary was that of Miss Squire.

A 25-year-old man was arrested in August on suspicion of murdering Miss Squire but was released under investigation.

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