Parents' tribute to stabbed woman

Phil and Jen Cross searched car parks for their daughter's car

The parents of a woman found stabbed to death in her car have described their daughter as a "bubbly, crazy chick with an infectious laugh".

The body of Paula Poolton, 40, of Titchfield, Fareham, was found in her Peugeot 206 in nearby Park Gate, close to Swanwick railway station.

She had been missing for 11 days. Two men have been bailed over her death.

Parents Jen and Phil Cross said they combed car parks looking for her car when she went missing last month.

Her mother said: "[she was] very bubbly, she was a crazy chick with and infectious laugh - according to her colleagues she cheered people up, she always had a hug for them.

"She had a quick wit always cheerful, whether she felt like that I don't know. She always had a mind of her own.

"I don't think we can believe she's gone."

You can't think that someone could be so evil to do it Phil Cross

CCTV images show Ms Poolton shopping in Tesco, Bursledon at about 2130 BST on Friday, 17 October.

Her body was found 11 days later in her car parked in Duncan Road near Swanwick railway station.

Her parents said their daughter held a door supervisor licence and could look after herself despite being "quite small".

Mrs Cross said: "The last day she had to have her cat put down and she picked up the ashes.

"We thought she had gone away because she was upset about her cat. She had him for ten years.

"I even popped down the cemetery as I thought she had gone in there to talk to her nan as she's not long passed away. But there was no sign of her car.

"She never forgets her father's birthday and we hoped a card would drop through the letter box but it didn't.

Paula Poolton was missing for 11 days

"Later that day she was found."

Ms Poolton's parents said they have found it "hard to concentrate" since the discovery of their daughter's body.

"You hear of so many of these murders and crimes, you sit and take it all in but you think that will never happen to me, but then it does," said Mr Cross.

"You can't think that someone could be so evil to do it. I cannot imagine anyone becoming so violent."

Mrs Cross said sympathy cards and the police had helped them, adding: "It's a parents worst nightmare.

"The person who did this is extremely sick and if you are harbouring this person just think that this could happen to you."

Two men, aged 52 and 55 and from the Fareham area, were arrested on suspicion of her murder and have been released on bail.