Murdered Oswestry girl was a straight A student

Feb 7 2010 Special Report by Philip Vinter, Sunday Mercury

POPULAR, bubbly and bright, she was the girl with everything to live for.

Francesca McFall – Frankie to her many friends – was a gifted grade-A student who dreamed of a career helping others.

When she went to bed on Thursday night, the teenager was excited about going to the St Valentine’s Ball.

But sometime in the early hours of Friday morning all that promise was cruelly snuffed out

Frankie and her mother Susan were brutally murdered by her troubled florist father.

Yesterday, at the gates to the semi-detached family home in Hampton Road, Oswestry, a golden angel was placed on the pavement.

It was a fitting tribute to the attractive 18 year-old friends and teachers described as a wonderful human being and a model pupil.

Tearful pals placing tributes at the scene said Frankie had wanted to spend her life helping people and had dreams of becoming a doctor or a CSI-style forensic scientist.

She achieved straight As at The Marches School, where she was head girl, her smiling face a highlight on the campus website.

Outside the academic world, the pretty teenager had a passion for music and joined a band.

Margaret Lloyd, who taught Frankie music at The Marches School until she left, described the talented student as exceptional.

“She was picked to be head girl at school because she was such a good student,” said Mrs Lloyd. “She was extremely popular with both teachers and students. Everyone said good things about her.

“Frankie was enthusiastic, committed and determined to do well in her classes – a fantastic student.

“She wanted to do medicine and I’m sure she would have done well at that.

“She was a good drummer and really enjoyed music. All the students are gutted. Just shocked and desperately upset.

“Everyone knew her. She was a popular girl. Very level-headed and studious. She just got on with things. She was definitely going places.

“We are all totally confused and mystified as to why it should happen to such a lovely, gorgeous girl.”