Distraught parents visit spot where daughter was found

The distraught parents of Joanna Yeates today visited the site where their daughter's body was discovered.

David, 63, and Theresa Yeates, 58, laid a bouquet of yellow roses with a picture of their daughter on her graduation at the scene and embraced as they wiped away tears. Mr Yeates kissed his wife's hand as she wept.

The pair spent a moment alone at the scene before being joined by others including their son Chris and Miss Yeates' boyfriend Greg Reardon.

Mr Reardon, 27, left a bunch of red and yellow flowers.

The results of a post mortem examination are due tomorrow after being delayed because of the frozen condition of Miss Yeates' body.

However, the 25-year-old landscape architect has been formally identified by her family.

Meanwhile, detectives are to examine CCTV from one of Britain's most famous landmarks.

Officers will look at footage from Clifton suspension bridge in Bristol, on the main route from Miss Yeates' house to where she was found on Christmas Day.

Miss Yeates, from Clifton, Bristol, had not been seen since December 17 when CCTV showed her in a Tesco store on her way home to her flat in Canynge Road.

A couple walking their dogs on Christmas morning found her body as they walked along Longwood Lane, close to Bristol and Clifton Golf Club, in Failand, North Somerset - about three miles from where the graduate lived.

The Avon Fire Service helped police remove the corpse, which was clothed and covered in snow, from the scene in order to preserve the site for a thorough forensic examination.

Chief Superintendent Jon Stratford said: "Our heartfelt condolences go out to Joanna's family for their loss.

"We have not stopped working hard throughout the Christmas period to find their daughter after she was reported missing.

"Now we will work just as hard to discover exactly what happened to her and how she came to be in Longwood Lane on Christmas morning.

"Until the post-mortem examination is able to firmly establish how Joanna died, we are keeping an open mind about the cause of her death.

"However, I would appeal to anyone with any information whatsoever that can help this investigation to please come forward and help us provide Joanna's parents with the answers they so desperately want and need."

Before the grim discovery, Miss Yeates' father said he "would be relieved" if the body was his daughter so they would have the opportunity to say goodbye.

David Yeates told a newspaper: "It hasn't been a Christmas for us. I don't know what it's been. It's been surreal, totally unreal.

"In truth we feel like we hope ... we would be relieved if it was her.

"We don't want to go to our graves wondering where she is and not being given the chance to say goodbye to her."

Tributes have since been paid to Miss Yeates - known as Jo - on the Facebook site.

Bec Wood wrote: "Rest In Peace Jo. You will always be loved and remembered for being so beautiful, kind, successful, and lovely. You made Greg so happy. Our thoughts are with Greg, your parents and all of your families and friends. We will miss you Jo, and hope that you have peace now. Love and prayers xxxxxx."

Michael Whitcher added: "Rest in peace little Jo, we will miss you always. My hearts and thoughts go out to her family, and I am thankful I knew you. God bless xxx."

The last known sighting of Miss Yeates was on CCTV as she bought a pizza at a branch of Tesco Express in the Clifton area of Bristol on the evening of December 17.

Miss Yeates, who worked at BDP with Mr Reardon, was making her way home from the Ram pub in Park Street at about 8pm after a night out with work colleagues.

On her way home she rang her best friend Rebecca Scott to arrange to meet on Christmas Eve.

Miss Yeates lived with her boyfriend, who reported her missing on Sunday night after returning home from a weekend away in Sheffield visiting family.

Speaking to the Mail on Sunday, Mr Reardon's mother, Lydia, from Ilfracombe, Devon, said Miss Yeates and her son were planning to get married and their family Christmas had been shattered by her disappearance.

She said: "She is a lovely, gorgeous girl. Greg has brought her home and she's stayed with us a few times. They've been together for a couple of years now.

"Greg is so fond of her. We thought that when he finished getting the last of his qualifications they would get engaged."

Officers released footage of Miss Yeates buying the pizza in Tesco, which has become a key part of the investigation.

There was no trace of the pizza, the wrapping or the box in her home - despite the fact that the receipt, the coat she was wearing, and her mobile phone and keys were inside.

Anyone who can help the investigation can call the Operation Braid incident room on 0845 456 7000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.