Juliana Prosper: Son, Nicholas Prosper, accused of murdering his mum, brother and sister

Tributes were paid yesterday to a ‘beautiful and kind’ mother and two of her children after they were killed on Friday.

Juliana Prosper, 48, died alongside Kyle, 16, and Giselle, 13, in their flat in Luton, Bedfordshire.

Her eldest son, Nicholas Prosper, 18, has been charged with murder and firearms offences and is due to appear at Luton Magistrates’ Court today after being detained on a road near the scene.

Yesterday, floral tributes piled up next to the main door of the family’s block of flats as devastated friends came to pay their respects.

A colleague of Mrs Prosper’s, who worked with her at a branch of Sainsbury’s, said he was struggling to comprehend the sudden loss of his friend. Lewis, 24, said he worked in a team of two with her and that he saw her more than his friends and family.

‘She was just the loveliest person,’ he said, struggling to contain his emotions. ‘She had a heart of gold. She would speak so highly of her kids. ‘She would put everyone first above herself – that’s the biggest shame about it. It’s a massive shock to us, the community and everyone.’

A friend of Mrs Prosper told Sky News she ‘lived for her children’ and described her as a ‘positive person who will be so terribly missed’.

Police said the three victims were found fatally injured, and all died in the flat. Detectives recovered a firearm during a search.

Bola Udekunle, 35, with her 13-year-old daughter Ella, who was friends with Giselle from music classes, was among the mourners who left flowers at the scene. Paying tribute to Giselle, Ms Udekunle said: ‘She was a very sweet girl, a very lovely girl. We are all so shocked.

‘My daughter left flowers for her – she wanted to do that.’ A friend of Kyle’s from nearby Cardinal Newman Catholic School, who asked not to be named, remembered the 16-year-old as a ‘quiet boy’ who had never caused any trouble.

A statement from the school added: ‘We are shocked by the tragic incident that occurred on Friday in our local community and deeply saddened by the loss of one of our own students, Kyle Prosper.’

Others who came to lay flowers were visibly overwhelmed by emotion. One tribute left to Mrs Prosper remembered a ‘beautiful, kind, positive friend’ and added: ‘I feel bereft without you.’

Jess Pather, headteacher of Lea Manor High School, where Giselle had been a pupil, said in a statement: ‘Giselle was a beautiful soul and a model pupil; she excelled in all her subjects and will be sorely missed, particularly by her friends in Year 9.

‘It will take us all time to process what has happened, and our thoughts will go out to everyone in our community and neighbouring schools who have been affected.’

According to Bedfordshire Police, Nicholas Prosper had been remanded in custody ahead of an appearance at Luton Magistrates’ Court today.

Detective Superintendent Rob Hall said: ‘Following the discovery of the three bodies, we immediately dispatched several officers to the scene.

‘Shortly afterwards, they arrested an 18-year-old man, who has now been charged with three counts of murder as well as many firearms offences.’