THE family of the Canadian teenager who was allegedly killed by her boyfriend in Essex have paid a heartfelt tribute to a ‘kind’ and ‘beautiful’ woman.

Ashley Wadworth,19, has been named as the victim at the centre of the murder investigation.

She died following an incident in Chelmsford last week and boyfriend Jack Sepple has since been charged with murder.

Ashley had been visiting the UK from her home in Vernon, British Columbia, Canada, at the time.

In a statement, Ashley’s family have celebrated her “spontaneous, witty, kind personality” whilst remembering her “unforgettable laugh”.

They also described the teen as “fiercely loving and loyal to her family and friends” alike.

Hailey said she will always treasure her little sister, Ashley, as her “best friend”.

Paisley called her Aunty Ashley the “best aunty ever” and everyone appreciated how Ashley saved her own money to buy Paisley her first swing set.

The Wadsworth family said they admired Ashley’s sense of adventure having travelled extensively within Canada and further afield to Mexico, California and England.

They said her traveling deepened her desire for life experience and “encouraged her love of language” as she spoke 3 languages (English, French, Spanish).

Ashley had a dream of becoming a lawyer and strived for good grades, having been accepted to Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, BC.

Her family said in their statement: “Ashley, you are beautiful to us, and we will miss you very, very, much.”

The Wadsworth family, who cannot be in Essex at present, wanted to express their gratitude for the support they have received from the people of Chelmsford and specifically to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Helen, the Taylor family who organized Ashley’s vigil and who shared it with their family in Canada.

“It has touched us so deeply, there are truly no words to express our gratitude.

“They were able to do something for Ashley that we couldn’t, and we will be forever thankful.

“How lucky are we to have people from across the world care so much about a family that they have never met?”

The tribute comes as an inquest into Ms Wadsworth’s death was opened in Chelmsford on Thursday.

The hearing was told that the teenager was found unresponsive and paramedics confirmed life extinct at 4.38pm.

A post-mortem examination recorded her provisional medical cause of death as “stab wounds to the chest”, the coroner’s officer said.

Essex’s senior coroner, Lincoln Brookes, suspended the inquest proceedings pending the outcome of crown court proceedings.