THE family of a young woman killed in a car crash have vowed to end rumours so their beautiful princess can rest in peace. Laura Willis, 20, of Milton Close, Royston, died when the car in which she was a passenger left the A505 near Melbourn and collide

THE family of a young woman killed in a car crash have vowed to end rumours so their "beautiful princess" can rest in peace.

Laura Willis, 20, of Milton Close, Royston, died when the car in which she was a passenger left the A505 near Melbourn and collided with a tree.

Since her death, Laura's family said gossip has prevented her from resting in peace.

Carolyn, Laura's mother, said: "I hate people judging Laura when they didn't know her or what actually happened."

Patricia Hill, Laura's grandmother, said: "Things started to go wrong for Laura when she had boyfriend troubles which led to her going to prison after she retracted her statement to protect her boyfriend. Nobody could believe it when she was led away crying in front of her family, yelling 'I want to go home, I have done nothing wrong'.

"I want to clear my granddaughter's name. We all suffered worry every minute of the day. Our family couldn't believe the justice of the judge who put her in prison with criminals."

Carolyn, said: "There was speculation Laura was on drugs, but she wasn't. She was just besotted with her boyfriend."

After her release, Laura began to enjoy life again and was particularly close to her two sisters, Kelly 25, and Denise, 23, and her brother Graham Junior, 19.

Two days later Laura went to the Old Post Office pub in Royston with Kelly and found her cousin unconscious outside.

Laura went to his aid and events unravelled which led to Laura getting hit by a man and her dad Graham went to her rescue.

"Laura was afraid he was hurt and went to get help. But it didn't end there and in the end her dad, Graham, came to her rescue," Patricia said.

Following the incident, Laura was locked up for two days with her mum, Carolyn and her sister Kelly.

Patricia said: "It was a nightmare for them, but it was by the grace of God and the family sticking together that they got through it.

"Up to the end of her life, Laura asked me to pray for her family and thanked them for believing in her.

"On the last day of her life I took her shopping with her sister, Kelly. She was so happy and always laughing because of silly little things I used to do.

She said: "Nan you do make me happy. I love you'. She said 'I love you' to her family throughout the day.

"Little did we know that laughter was going to turn into tears with the tragic accident and death of our beautiful princess.

"But by the help of God and family and friends in Royston we have got stronger every day and we would like to thank them for being so caring.

"Laura will always be with us and we hold onto the good memories. She was brave and never gave up. Love shone out in her life."

Laura's nephew, six-year-old Jordan, suffered serious injuries from the crash but he is well again.

"We say to Jordan 'find the brightest star in the sky and that's Laura'," said Patricia.

Carolyn Willis, Laura's mother, said "It wasn't easy to say goodbye to Laura. For all the joy we shared, all that time we had to spend, if I had one wish I'd want her back forever again.

"I can remember all the great times. We had so many memories - some good, some bad, but through it all I know these memories will last forever.