The cousin of four 'angels' tragically killed in a horror arson attack has revealed how she could 'feel them with her' minutes after they died.
Courtney Pearson shared her harrowing memories of that night for the first time on Facebook , and thanked her local community for its ongoing support.
Demi, 15, Brandon, 8, Lacie, 7, and Lia, 3, were tragically killed in a devastating arson attack on their home in Salford, in December 2017.
Remembering that night, Courtney said: "My mum just threw everything in front of her and fell to her knees screaming….
"I had only just been told they died at this point but I could feel them with me, I knew they were there."
The house had been targeted by Zak Bolland, then 23, who was feuding with then 16-year-old Kyle Pearson, the children's older brother, who escaped the blaze with his mum Michelle Pearson.
Zak Bolland and David Worrall were jailed for life for the childrens' murder.
Courtney Brierley, 21, is currently appealing a manslaughter conviction for her involvement in the attack.
Mum Michelle, 37, suffered severe burns in the blaze, which affected 75% of her body.
She was placed in an induced coma after the attack, but had appeared to be making a recovery.
Earlier this year, she was filmed sitting in a wheelchair as she released balloons outside hospital.
But last Friday, her mum, Sandra Lever, announced to friends and family on Facebook that Michelle's condition had deteriorated over the previous 10 weeks and she is "critically" ill.
Courtney said that the family is still battling to come to terms with the tragedy, but although 17 months ago they "lost the light in our lives" they are still standing strong.
Last month she climbed Mount Snowdon, bringing a banner for the children to the summit. They will climb the mountain again in August this year to raise money for Great Manchester Fire Service.
And now Courtney has permitted the Mirror to publish her Facebook post below, which remembers that fateful night, and thanks her community which " kept us all strong ".
The morning of Monday 11th December 2017 will never leave my mind..
I will never forget being sat on the bottom step of our stairs at 6:15am with my mum waiting for an update, both of us hoping they all made it out safe and was expecting a phone call from Michelle or Demi to say they were all ok. I remember ringing Demi and it going straight to answer machine & thinking it was odd because she was always on her phone.
It was then we had a phone call to say that Demi, Brandon and Lacie didn't make it. I just remember thinking it wasn't even possible as I'd only spoken to Demi before bed and how we had plans for the next day.
Thoughts are still going through my head at this point and I am trying to process the words that have just been said, it was then I looked at my mum who just threw everything in front of her and fell to her knees screaming…now I'm trying to focus on anything I could put my attention to because I could feel myself nearly going under.
I remember running outside in the front garden and the roads and street being so quiet and empty.. I looked up to the sky and started crying.
I had only just been told they died at this point but I could feel them with me, I knew they were there.
Days followed and we had no clue whether Michelle or Lia were going to make it. I cried that much.. My heart couldn't take anymore, to then be told Lia had no chance and she passed. Like how on earth do you lose four people in the space of two days, it was still blowing my mind.
We have always had a close family. We did everything together, we saw each other everyday, we have all been brought up like siblings.. ❤️
One thing I will never, ever, ever forget is how much love and support we got from our community.. Truly overwhelming, kept us all strong.
18 months on and we are only starting to feel a bit of normality again. Although nothing will ever be normal for us.. Whenever we are all together, it's just not the same. There is something missing, you can just feel it, there will always be something missing.
We all have to be strong for Michelle, she is a legend to have gone through what she's gone through and still is going through. Nothing will ever fix the damage that's been done, if only we could turn back the hands of time.
Proud to be apart of such a big loving strong family.
Xxxx DBLL forever xxxX
Family and friends are doing a sponsored walk on August 3 up Snowdon.
You can donate here with all money going towards Greater Manchester Fire Service.
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