Dave says:

To any of you that may read this, may I say that I knew Vanessa for twenty years.
She was a dedicated Police Officer loved by her colleagues and friends. I am proud
to say that I knew her from the start of her Police Career.

It is hard to put into words how you feel at a time like this. In my case it is easier
to put the words of someone else. This article sums up Vanessa quite well.

***

From: The Solihull Times newspaper.
Date: Friday, May 3rd, 1996.

Friends of Solihull Police Woman who was killed in a tragic accident in Bosnia on
Sunday evening have spoken of their horror and shock at her death.

Inspector Vanessa Carrol, 35, who was single and among a group of West Midlands
Police Officers working in Mostar on a six month secondment, was killed when the Astra
estate car she was driving in Metkovic was in collision with an oncoming car being
driven on the wrong side of the road. She was thrown from the car and died at the
scene.

Her best friend Julie Bunn said everyone who knew Vanessa was "devastated" by the
tragedy.

"As a friend she was a very warm, caring person who could always be relied upon and
as a Police Officer she was outstanding," said Mrs Bunn, a detective sergeant in
Chelmsley Wood who joined the Police Force as a Cadet with Vanessa Carroll 20 years
ago."

"She led her team from the front and there is no doubt that she moulded the young 
Officers on her shift."

"She was also extremely fit, played a lot of sport and enjoyed long distance running
which came in very handy when it came to chasing suspects."

"I remember once she went to the airport and the man she wanted to speak to ran off so
Vanessa ran after him on foot."

"Half a mile later he was absolutely worn out and when Vanessa ran up to him as fresh
as a daisy he surrendered," she said.

Miss Carroll was a former pupil of Arch Bishop Grimshaw School in Chelmsley Wood where
staff said they were "deeply saddened" by her death.

"Vanessa was an outstanding pupil who had a great sense of justice and fairness even
then so it came as no surprise that she joined the Police Force and achieved so much,"
said her geography teacher John Collins.

Divisional commander Supt Peter Fahy said Insp Carroll was destined for a brilliant
Police career having passed part one of her Chief Inspector examinations and having
had her application for a detective Inspector post accepted.

Her body was flown back from Bosnia yesterday (Thursday) and a funeral is expected to
be held next week. A full inquest into her death will be held at a later date.

***

Dave says:

Vanessa's funeral is Monday May 13th 1996.

"Vanessa I'm sorry I wont be there but you will be deeply in our thoughts"

David & Charlie