Christopher McBurnie's mum pays tribute to her 'best friend' son
The mother of a 14-year-old who was fatally stabbed last month has paid tribute to her "best boy" and "best friend".Christopher McBurnie, of Bromet Road in Castletown, died in Ramsey on 29 May. Rebecca Parker described her son as a "lovable comedian" who loved animals and was passionate about Liverpool Football Club."He wasn't just my son," she said. "He was my best friend, he was my world, he was my life."
A 14-year-old boy charged with Christopher's murder will next appear in court on 2 July.Ms Parker said Christopher and his four siblings meant everything to her.She said his death had "absolutely shattered" her, adding "it's more than heartbreak - it's indescribable".
Ms Parker said her son was "football mad" and had played for Colby Football Club on the island for several years, where he had been "absolutely over the moon" to be awarded the under-12 player of the year.She said she shared a special bond with "kind and empathetic" Christopher."Every night when he came home we'd have this routine," she said. "He'd come up to my bedroom and sit on my bed and we'd just have a natter."We were very open with each other. Because he had quite an older head on his shoulders as well, you could have a conversation with him about things."
Ms Parker said she had been "getting flooded with photos and videos" from Christopher's friends since his death, which showed he was "just very well-loved"."His friends have sent me videos and pictures of him being the clown really, doing jokes and all that, and that was him in a bubble. Just the best."
She said Christopher's funeral on Friday would be "his big day" and a chance to "celebrate" him."I don't like to call it a funeral so I've just been calling it Christopher's day," she explained.Ms Parker said the procession would start from the family's home in Castletown "because he didn't make it home, so I've got to bring him home".Reflecting on life without her eldest son, she said: "Everywhere I go I can see his smile. It's like I can see him but I can't see him, every memory's coming back."All I keep thinking about is the night-time, because I think that was our special time, just me and him having a little natter before bed. That was our time."The service will begin at TheAbbey Church in Ballasalla at 10:30 BST.
Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
28 minutes ago
- BBC News
Person killed and another seriously injured in A361 crash near Burford
A fatal crash has resulted in the closure of a main road in Oxfordshire. One person was killed and another seriously injured in the crash on the A361 near Burford at about 15:20 BST, police said. Their next of kin have been informed. Oxfordshire County Council said the A361, from north of Bradwell Village to just south of Burford, was shut and remained so into Thursday night. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
The Sun
35 minutes ago
- The Sun
Mum, 34, who vanished at church over a month ago is presumed dead as police make third arrest
A MUM who vanished at a church over a month ago is now presumed to be dead, say police. A third suspect, a 53-year old man, has been arrested on suspicion of kidnap and murder. 2 2 Reanne Coulson, 34, was last seen leaving a food bank near St Mary and Benedict Church in Coventry on May 21. Specialist search teams, including police dogs, have been searching Binley Woods and other areas of land in neighbouring Warwickshire since Wednesday. West Midlands Police say that "police intelligence" led them to the area. Her family had made an emotional plea for information earlier this week following her disappearance. They reported her missing when she didn't make contact on her birthday on June 17.
The Sun
41 minutes ago
- The Sun
‘Terrified' Cheryl's killer stalker flouts ban & turns up at house trying to meet her leaving singer feeling ‘violated'
CHERYL Tweedy's killer stalker is back harassing her — flouting a restraining order by turning up at a house. Daniel Bannister visited the building in Buckinghamshire last week. 6 6 The order was imposed after a court heard that the 50-year-old left Girls Aloud singer Cheryl, 41, who lives with son Bear, eight, feeling 'violated, terrified and unsafe in her home'. He has previously been jailed for the manslaughter of a man at a homeless shelter. In the latest scare, charges said he had attended a building where he believed singer Cheryl to be present in Buckinghamshire on June 19. He was then understood to have been arrested in a swoop on his bail hostel. Last Saturday he appeared before Reading magistrates' court when he was remanded in custody. He returned to the court yesterday to plead guilty to a single count of breaching the restraining order. District judge Davinder Sandhu refused bail and sent the case to the town's crown court for sentencing on September 23. Bannister, who gave his home address as a bail hostel in Brixton, South London, faces up to five years in jail. In March, when the creep was caged for 16 weeks, a court heard how his campaign of harassment began when he went to Cheryl's mansion on January 25, 2024. The former X Factor judge saw a stranger approach her doorbell camera and say: 'It's Dan. I've come to get Cheryl.' Cheryl terrorised by convicted killer stalker who turned up at home 3 weeks after Liam Payne funeral He called again in July 2024 and asked through the intercom: 'I'm really thirsty. Can I have a glass of wine please?' The court at the time heard he 'can't stay away' from the singer. Prosecutor Datta Ryan said that visit had made Cheryl feel 'violated and terrified and unsafe in her home'. Bannister was arrested and jailed for four months in September 2024, when he got a three-year restraining order banning him from contacting her. But after he was released from prison he returned to the property on December 10, 2024 — as revealed exclusively by The Sun this January. We told how Bannister's visit came weeks after grieving Cheryl had attended the funeral of her ex, One Direction star and Bear's dad Liam Payne, who fell to his death in Buenos Aires last October. In a statement to cops — read to the court this March — Cheryl said: 'I immediately panicked when I saw Daniel. I was in a state of alarm and shock. I feared for my safety immediately and I feared for my child's safety. He was due back from the cinema and I didn't want him to see Daniel.' 6 6 Bannister's lawyer said the wannabe musician had gone back to the house after his arrest because he wanted to 'reassure her'. Lawyer Colin Mackrell said Bannister 'formed in his mind an affectionate view of Ms Tweedy and he believes that was somehow reciprocated'. A judge imposed a new indefinite order which prevents him from contacting Cheryl or entering any building where he knows or believes she might be. Bannister was previously jailed for 30 months in 2012 for manslaughter after he launched a 'sustained' fatal attack on Rajendra Patel, 48. CCTV showed Bannister punching and kicking Mr Patel at a YMCA in Croydon, South East London. Last night, neighbours of the Brixton bail hostel which Bannister gave as his address in court described him as a wild-haired loner. Police were understood to have arrested him there just a day after he called cops to accuse a neighbour of trying to break into his home. One man, 35, said: 'When the police arrested him he was just smiling. He was paranoid. Another neighbour, 25, said: 'We didn't have any interaction with the guy. He looked like he was in his own head. 'You can tell by looking at someone if they're right or wrong, and he looked wrong.' 6 6
