An emotional farewell to Libbi Toledo will take place next week at the historic Angus cathedral where the tragic teenager had one day hoped she would walk up the aisle.
Mourners will attend Brechin Cathedral on Wednesday for the funeral of the 17-year-old whose body was found in a disused Fife scrapyard following an extensive 11-day search.
Libbi’s mother, Judi, has said she hopes the service will be a celebration of her daughter’s life and praised the “overwhelming” outpouring of love and compassion which has followed her death.
The worldwide reaction to the tragedy has also resulted in almost $17,000 being donated to a fund to help meet the funeral costs and bring Libbi’s dad and aunt to Brechin from the US.
Police Scotland confirmed yesterday that the body found in the old scrapyard at the junction of Kirkcaldy’s Denburn Road and Smeaton Road on Thursday September 21 had been formally identified as Libbi’s.
The announcement has allowed the family to put in place arrangements for the funeral, which will take place at 2.30pm, followed by cremation at Parkgrove, near Friockheim.
Judi said: “Libbi always wanted to get married at the cathedral and if she cannot do that I wanted to make sure that she was brought home to Brechin and taken there for us to say goodbye.
“The outpouring of love, care and support from both her friends and people who never even met Libbi has been overwhelming,” she added.
A major missing person search was mounted after Libbi failed to return to her assisted accommodation in Kirkcaldy following a visit to her mum’s home in Brechin.
Judi said her daughter had made friends all over Scotland as a result of being in several placements over the years and the support of the young people who knew her had been wonderful.
“The young people have been so amazing and so strong,” she said.
“It is a terrible thing for them to have to deal with, and a horrible time for everyone, but everyone has been so sensitive and compassionate.
“Anyone who wishes to attend the funeral is welcome, that is what Libbi would have wanted, she would never have turned anyone away,” she said.
The Go Fund Me Help Bury Elisabeth page set up by Libbi’s Californian aunt, Vicky Edwards, has generated close to $17,000 of its $22,000 target since its launch just 12 days ago.
“The support has been amazing,” added Judi. “It has allowed Joe and her aunt to fly in and will meet the funeral costs, with whatever is left over being used to remember Libbi in an appropriate way.”
Police say they are continuing to work with the Scottish Fatalities Investigation Unit to fully explore the circumstances of Libbi’s death, but the matter is not being treated as suspicious.
