I remember when I visited her a long time ago, it is sad that she was taken away from us like this. Darlene

We also did not know Emma personally, but was so drawn to watching the outcome of her search. I cry everytime I watch something about her, it's just so sad....We are so sorry for your tragic loss:( From the Costello Family...Rolleston, CHCH

R.I.P Emma Agnew I was thinking of you what a lovely young woman you are and we missed you a lots and love.The day after days will gonna never forget about you for rest peace

i personally didnt know Emma but i have been following the news and am devastated to hear the outcome im 18years old and feel terribly for her family and friends!! remember all the good memories through this hard time. i know she will be missed dearly and i am so sorry for your loss. the effort and love shown for her was truly amazing and you can be proud that you brought up such an amazing daughter. all my love holly

Emma has touched all of our hearts and she feels like part of a bigger family than we all could ever imagine. Our thoughts go out to all her family and friends. Fly free emma. Maxwell family, christchurch

may the beautiful memories you have of your darling emma help you all through this tragic time.you are all in our hearts and prayers.

Kia Ora, i personally didn't know Emma, but have been following the news and am devastated at the outcome. Like Hayley T said, i was praying and hoping that you would be found safe and well but im sure you are at peace now. no more pain. My thoughts are with her family. She will be deeply missed by everyone she knew. Kia Kaha

I met Emma at Labour weekend this year. She is an excellent Netball player. I could see her with bright yellow on her with her friendly bubbly face. I am pleased that I have met her and enjoyed to chat with her in face to face. We all are going to miss Emma greatly. We all love you, Emma's families. Fondest Love Judith and boys (Dylan and Jonathan)

I don't fully know Emma that well, but i have meet her few times through sports events in the past few years. She was lovely and such a good heart to all the Deaf Community. I'm truly sorry about the loss of your daughter. May she rest in peace...... Love Kirsten.

Sorry to the family to young to be taken ,will miss you dearly RIP WE all miss and love you

Dear Emma, Meeting you for the first time about a month ago, we are so heartsore to hear what happened to such a beautiful young,bubbly lady with a lovely smile to be taken away from the Deaf community so soon. You had so many goals ahead of you.Our thoughts and prayers are with the Agnew family and the Deaf community. You will be sadly missed by all.Rest in peace Emma.

I'm truly sorry for lost ur beautiful gal but she will be sadly misses by the whole deaf communities throu NZ and those people she loves the most....My heart sets out for her and her family....by the way I neva met u bt I wish 2 met u......we will remmy her deaf spirit pass around the communities hw g8 u r.....

Emz, You were a gentle soul who had big dreams and who would have achieved them I'm sure!! That smile could get you anywhere :o) I will cherish your emails of interest and support for the work I am doing. They show just how 'onto the issues' you were. The world has missed out on seeing you become an even stronger and more independent woman and the natural leader that you were destined to be. Go well......... My thoughts and prayers are with the Agnew family and the Deaf community as a whole. Kia kaha,

Emma - you will always be our candle of light... we will miss you.

Emma, I met you a couple of times as you were growing up. Your mum and I went to school together on the train from Timaru to CHC. My heart goes out to Louise and Henry, Toby, Herbie and Bennie and extended families in the loss of their beautiful butterfly. You will be sadly missed Emma.

Emma - I didn't even know you, but I had been following the news reports and hoping like everyone else that you would be found safe and well. Like most people, I was devastated when I heard the news. I just hope and pray that you didn't suffer and were not in any pain. My thoughts are with you and your family. You are in a safe, happy place now.

Dear Emma, You character, confidence, and love of your life shines so brightly thru the much publicised Photographs New Zealand have seen of you in the past weeks. Your life was tragically taken much, much, much to soon. Your future would have been a bright and successful one. We all must remember in your memory that Life is only a test for entrance to Heaven and we whom are yet to pass this great test know you are being well cared and loved looking down on us all. Rest In Peace Dear Emma xx

Emma I knew you as a little girl when you used to come into the Hornby Supervalue with your grandmother Colleen Swan and your mum and Aunty Brenda. My Daugher who is two has been diagnosed with a hearing loss, I don't feel sad about this as I hope she will be a wonderful person like you. My Parents Ngaire & Roy Williams are proud of their deaf community and you will be sadly missed by all.

Emma our heart goes out to you and your family...

"Emma you are greatly missed in an awesome deaf community, a family and most of all by your parents. I did not know you, but my prayers for you never ceased. I have a best girlfriend who is partially deaf and she has done so much in her life,not hearing never stopped her, so reading about your life, it reminded me of her. I pray that God keep you and that His angels guide you. Emma you were a beautiful young lady who was taken from this life too early...you are a precious butterfly, and at this time my prayer is that God keep you and you're family in His arms. I will never stop praying for your family Emma....this has touched me deeply." Bless you! xxx

I can understand Emma Family go through so much pain hearts aching So much hurt So much anger So much confused So much frustrated So much suffering So much grievous All this thoughts goes everyday why why why this has to happen to Emma unexpectedly. But when we try to fathom in our Lord’s doing to bring out of Emma then all of us saying Emma is a gift to the Deaf community. Would be nice to put her plaque at Van Asch! May the Lord look after and protect Emma always. Jan Bary ex SFD Darwin Australia

much love and prayers to the agnew family and to all who knew her.

Again im another person who did not no Emma but what i do no is that she did not die in vein. Her death has been a wakeup call for all & has sent a ripple affect to those living. I feel deeply sorry for her family & can only hope they take some comfort in the fact that she has reminded us all how precious life truly is. I think she is watching over her loved ones smiling & is at peace with in Heaven whatever that may be. May her friends & family find peace and continue to live life for her in a way she would have liked.

I didn't know Emma but she has touched our hearts, we are truly sorry about the loss of your beautiful daughter Emma & our heartfelt thoughts are with the Agnew family. God bless you!!!!!

I didn't know Emma but she has touched our hearts, we are truly sorry about the loss of your beautiful daughter Emma & our heartfelt thoughts are with the Agnew family. God bless you!!!!!

I did not know Emma but I do know her sacrifice will not be in vain.As with all who suffer because of violence and hate.It's a very hard thing to be parted from those you love and my thoughts are with family and all who loved her.M.

We did not know you Emma . As the days went by we were hoping you would be found safe and sound. You were a beautiful young lady with a whole life ahead of you. Our thoughts are with your family and many friends.

I didnt know Emma or her family but my sister Ngaire Chellew went to school with Emmas Dad and my thoughts are with all the family at this sad time. I think about you all every day and my thoughts will be with you all through all the times ahead as you deal with this awful tragedy.

You will be missed Emma, in the short time we worked together you were a great wee worker like your mum. So sad to hear about what happened to this lovely person she indeed was genuinely lovely. My heart goes out to you Louise and your family and BIG hugs. Love to you and thinking of you everyday, Penny

Emma was a beautiful person. she was an inspiration to many deaf young people and I pray that my deaf daughter will develop and grow the confidence and independence that Emma had. She will be missed by so many groups in society. Our heart goes out to Henry and Louise and the family. with love and prayers Bridget Oliver ferguson and kids

I did not know you Emma, but i felt i did, as the days went on and we all wondered what had happened to you, hoping for a good outcome, you almost became a family member, well it felt that way, i cried tears when i heard the terrible news and it made me so sad. I would like to express to your family our sincere condolences all the way from the Waikato, we have you in our thoughts.

oh I feel very deeper sad,pain and apologise for Emma Agnews family and she was the first deaf young woman that put into the newspaper and media new reports I ve watched on the News TV to made me feel very distress and concerned serious about her disappareare.There are very crowds supports s heaps,not us deaf in Chch,All the NZ deaf community are really very shock deeper and can't believed at facts.I am respect yours all.

I am Robet Hackett Do you remember me since my VAED school as my hostel of chamber housemate I say very Sorry for your daughter as my hug you.

Emma your smile will ive on forever in the hearts of those that lives you have touched. May you fly free with the angles and have there wings wrapped around you

I must say that our precious Deaf friend, Emma often was standing out in the crowd in any Deaf community events. Many people looked up to her and admiring her personality and the way she smiled at us all. It was pleasure watching her blossoming into a beautiful and wise woman from her involvement in meetings, groups, travelling and meeting many different people. We are so glad to have spent little time with Emma recently in Spain and here in Auckland. THANK-YOU for everything what you have given to us all!! It is very hard to accept the fact Emma has been taken away from us all and we all will never forget this! Our deepest sympathy and warm love to Emma's family forever.... xoxo

it is with deep sadness and heartfelt sympathy that i feel compelled to write to Emmas family and friends. I personally didn't know Emma but cannot describe the sadness i have felt over this horrific tragedy. I have a daughter Emma who is 21 and can't imagine life without her and how precious she is. May the memories that you have of Emma help you celebrate her life and may justice be served. Many Blessings to you all. Shine on Emma shine on

Emma was the most beautiful butterfly the world will ever see... She worked so hard to bring Deaf and hearing together... now with her sad death she has given the Deaf community an unexpected legacy......She put Deaf people in the public view and now hearing people from all over NZ and the world are FINALLY starting to get it. Her Deafness wasn't her disablility, it was her GIFT. Look at what her sad death's achieved already.... The news is being captioned automatically for the FIRST time... The courts allowed the doors open so interpreters could hear and share with other Deaf.... Deaf and hearing, black and white, young and old from all over NZ and the world are bonded together by their grief. Emz, May your beautiful smiling legacy never be forgotten... My sons will always miss their Aunty and I will always miss my friend. RIP now your job is done. THANK YOU EMMA.

Emma was a wonderful person. She never treated being deaf as a disability. She was so open and helpful to everyone.