The sister of Cerys Yemm, who was killed a year ago in Argoed, has paid tribute to her “best friend”.
Miss Yemm, from Oakdale, was killed by Matthew Williams at the Sirhowy Arms Hotel on November 6 last year.
The shop assistant was 22 when she was killed by Williams, 34, just weeks after he was released from prison.
Speaking to ITV Wales a year after Miss Yemm’s death, her sister Shannon Yemm said: “We’re all struggling because unfortunately the world does keep turning and we’ve all had to try and carry on, so I know I’ve had a difficult week in work. You wonder how you have got through the past year really.
“She wasn’t just my big sister, even though I didn’t tell her, she was my best friend. But I wish I’d told her more.
“From that day everything changed and it didn’t affect just the family, it affected her friends, everyone. I think it shocked the nation really.
“At one point we had people from different countries messaging us how horrible the news was and from that day nothing has been the same and never will be the same sadly, without her.”
An inquest into Miss Yemm’s death heard she died from “sharp force trauma to face and neck”.
Williams died after being shot by police with a taser during the incident. Questions have been raised as to how Williams, a known drug user, who according to his mother suffered from paranoid schizophrenia, was allowed back into the community after being released from prison.
In August, the Healthcare Inspectorate Wales watchdog announced an independent review of mental health services following the killing.
The report is due to be published early next year.