Abi Fisher’s family paid tribute to a ‘beautiful angel’ after her body was found on Monday and her husband is accused of murder
A husband has appeared in court today accused of murdering his wife whose body was found in a country lane on Monday.
Matthew Fisher, 29, is accused of murdering Abi Fisher, also 29, after she disappeared from her home in Castleford last Friday, sparking a major search operation.
Dressed in a prison issue grey jumper and jogging bottoms and wearing a face mask, Fisher spoke only to confirm his name, age and address when he appeared at Leeds Magistrates Court this morning.
He was not asked to enter a plea during the brief hearing and he will appear before Leeds Crown Court tomorrow.
Members of Abi’s heartbroken family who were present for the hearing today paid an emotional tribute to her.
In a statement, they said: ‘Our beautiful Abi. Words cannot describe how utterly devastated we are at the loss of you. We miss you dearly.
‘We promise to make you proud every single day, and will continue to bring up your amazing little baby girl the way you would.
‘Heaven may have gained an angel but we have lost you and that for us seems like the most unjust act to happen.
‘We as a family would like to thank every single person who showed enough heart and love to look for our precious angel. Words will never describe how much this means.
‘For now our beautiful angel. We love you so much.’
Her family wept as District Judge Charlotte Holland referred the case to the crown court due to the serious nature of the allegation.
Tributes have poured in for the West Yorkshire mother, with many saying ‘it is a cruel world’
Abi Fisher who has been described as ‘beautiful’, and ‘amazing’, married Matthew in 2017
Abi had not been seen since she left her home in Castleford, West Yorks., on Friday night.
Her family said her disappearance was ‘completely out of character’ and a major search operation was launched.
But West Yorkshire Police confirmed on Monday that they had found a body in undergrowth off Southmoor Road, near Brierley, South Yorks., and identified as that of Abi.
During today’s hearing, District Judge Charlotte Holland told Fisher: ‘This case is too serious to run in this court.
‘You will be sent to Leeds Crown Court at 9.30 tomorrow. You will remain in custody until then.’
Tributes were paid to Abi, who was a Year 3 teacher at Featherstone All Saints CofE Academy, near Pontefract.
In a statement released by the school, head teacher Matthew Jones said: ‘She will be remembered as an enthusiastic, kind and caring teacher and colleague, who gave her all each day.
‘In particular, her passion for science inspired countless children over the years – she made a real difference to so many lives.
‘We are all devastated by Abi’s tragic death, and will continue to pray for her and her family.
‘As a school we are supporting each other through this very difficult time.’
Abi and Matthew were married in 2017 and the pair had a baby girl just six months ago, following IVF treatments.
A massive search of the area was conducted by the community in Castleford and West Yorkshire Police who launched the missing person’s investigation.
On Monday, Abi’s body was found in undergrowth off country lane Southmoor Road near Brierley in South Yorkshire.
Pictured: Abi Fisher was described as a ‘beautiful angel’ in a tribute shared by her family
Her husband 29-year-old Fisher was charged with her murder yesterday and has been remanded in custody.
Tributes have poured in for the West Yorkshire mother, with many saying ‘it is a cruel world’.
One school mother said: ‘Mrs Abi Fisher, a teacher at my daughter’s school, an absolutely amazing person.’
Family member Alex Johnson said: ‘I have no words.’ Jordan Kenworthy said: ‘Abi was such a nice lass. Went to school with her and she wouldn’t hurt a fly.
Hayley Power added: ‘Abi was a wonderful person and an amazing teacher to the children in our school.
‘Unbelievably kind and caring loved all her colleagues and the children in school.’
Abi, who has been described as ‘beautiful’, and ‘amazing’, married Matthew Fisher in 2017, and the pair had a baby girl six months ago following IVF treatments
Abi’s mother Andrea Richardson said at the time of her disappearance: ‘Our daughter Abi is still missing from Walton Park Street, Castleford. She has a six-month-old baby girl who needs her mummy.’
According to Yorkshire Live, her husband Fisher asked people to sign a petition for other people going through IVF by explaining it was ‘postcode lottery’ but he was grateful for his ‘beautiful daughter’.
He said: ‘The National institute for care and health excellence recommends that everyone should be offered three full rounds of IVF, and just like no one wants to be born with fertility issues no one should be discriminated against based on where they live.’