Funeral is held of alleged victim of murder accused Stephen Griffiths

Family and friends gathered at St Francis RC Church, Norman Lane, Bradford, to say their final farewells to Shelley-Marie Armitage, 31, before a cremation at Rawdon.

John Grady, spokesman for the Diocese of Leeds, said: “This is a very difficult and sad time for the Armitage family.

“We, the parish community of Our Lady and St Francis, are keeping all of Shelley’s family and friends in our prayers and they can be assured of our loving support during these coming days.”

A death notice in the Telegraph & Argus said Shelley-Marie – the very precious daughter of Daryl and Gill, very much loved sister of Gemma and Carl, very much loved partner of Craig, loving auntie of Aaron and Pasha-Mai, a dearly loved niece, cousin and a great friend to many – passed away tragically on Monday, April 26, aged 31.

Mature student Stephen Griffiths, 40, of Holmfield Court, Thornton Road, Bradford, is charged with murdering Miss Armitage, of Allerton, Bradford, between April 25 and May 25 this year; Suzanne Blamires, 36, of Allerton, between May 20 and May 25; and Susan Rushworth, 43, of Manningham, Bradford, between June 22, 2009, and May 25 this year.

He last appeared in court, via a videolink from Wakefield Prison, on July 16.

A provisional trial date, for November 16, was vacated. The next hearing will be on October 15.

At the time of his arrest in May, Griffiths, who has a degree in psychology, was a part-time student at the University of Bradford, undertaking postgraduate research in criminology.

Miss Armitage has been missing since April 26. Miss Blamires was last seen on May 21 and Miss Rushworth disappeared on June 22 last year.

Body parts belonging to Miss Blamires were found in the River Aire at Shipley on May 25. Her funeral is expected to take place next week.

Tests confirmed that a small piece of human tissue later found in the water belonged to Miss Armitage.

No trace of Miss Rushworth has yet been found.