Abi Fisher’s family paid tribute to a ‘beautiful angel’ after her body was found Monday and her husband is charged with murder
A husband has appeared in court today charged with murdering his wife after her body was found on a country road on Monday six months after the birth of their daughter via IVF.
Matthew Fisher, 29, has been charged with the murder of 29-year-old Abi Fisher after she disappeared from her Castleford home last Friday, sparking a major search operation.
Dressed in a prison gray sweater, sweatpants and a face mask, Fisher spoke only to confirm his name, age and address when he appeared before Leeds Magistrates Court this morning.
He was not asked to make a plea during the brief hearing and he will appear before Leeds Crown Court tomorrow.
Members of Abi’s bereaved family, who attended the hearing today, paid an emotional tribute to her.
In a statement, they said: “Our beautiful Abi. Words cannot describe how deeply shocked we are at the loss of you. We miss you very much.
“We promise to make you proud every day and we will continue raising your amazing little girl like you would.
“Heaven may have been given an angel, but we’ve lost you and that seems to us the most unjust act that could happen.
“We as a family would like to thank everyone who has shown enough heart and love to search 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 when District Judge Charlotte Holland referred the case to the Crown Court due to the seriousness of the charges.
Tributes pour in for West Yorkshire mother, many say ‘it’s a cruel world’
Abi Fisher, who has been described as ‘beautiful’ and ‘wonderful’, married Matthew in 2017
Abi hadn’t been seen since she left her home in Castleford, West York on Friday night.
Her family said her disappearance was “completely out of place” and that a major search was launched.
But West Yorkshire Police confirmed on Monday that they had found a body in the undergrowth off Southmoor Road, near Brierley, South Yorks, and identified as Abi’s.
During today’s hearing, District Judge Charlotte Holland told Fisher, “This case is too serious to be heard in this court.
‘You will be sent to Leeds Crown Court tomorrow at 9:30 am. Until then, you will remain in custody.”
Tribute was paid to Abi, who was a Year 3 teacher at Featherstone All Saints CofE Academy, near Pontefract.
In a statement from the school, Headteacher Matthew Jones said: “She will be remembered as an enthusiastic, kind and caring teacher and colleague, who gave her every day.
“Her passion for science, in particular, has inspired countless children over the years – she has truly made a difference in so many lives.
“We are all devastated by Abi’s tragic death and we will continue to pray for her and her family.
‘As a school we support each other in this very difficult time.’
Friends and colleagues also paid tribute, describing her as a wonderful teacher who loved her job.
One school mother said, “Mrs. Abi Fisher, a teacher at my daughter’s school, an absolutely wonderful person.”
Family member Alex Johnson said, “I have no words for it.” Jordan Kenworthy said, “Abi was such a nice girl. Went to school with her and she wouldn’t hurt a fly.
Hayley Power added: “Abi was a wonderful person and a wonderful teacher to the children at our school.
“Incredibly kind and caring loved all her co-workers and the kids at school.”
Abi and Matthew married in 2017 and the couple had a daughter just six months ago, following IVF treatments.
Pictured: Abi Fisher was described as a ‘beautiful angel’ in a tribute shared by her family
Abi, who has been described as ‘beautiful’ and ‘wonderful’, married Matthew Fisher in 2017 and the couple had a daughter six months ago after IVF treatments
Her husband, 29-year-old Fisher, was charged with murdering her yesterday and has been remanded in custody.
Abi’s mother Andrea Richardson said at the time of her disappearance: ‘Our daughter Abi is still missing in Walton Park Street, Castleford. She has a six-month-old daughter that her mommy needs.’
According to Yorkshire Liveher husband Fisher asked people to sign a petition for other people undergoing IVF explaining it was “zip code lottery” but he was grateful for his “beautiful daughter.”
He said: “The National Institute for Care and Health Excellence recommends that everyone should get three full rounds of IVF, and just as no one wants to be born with fertility problems, no one should be discriminated against based on where they live.”