Ashlee would be so proud of daughters

The family of 21-year-old mother of two Ashlee Edwards, whose body was found under a Whangarei bridge in the early hours of July 27 continues to live an all but unbearable nightmare.

Ashlee's mother, Karen Edwards (Okaihau), said words could not express the "horrifically traumatic" time the family had been through.

"This is every parent's worst nightmare and we're living it. I'm just devastated. I'm missing my little mate terribly, the texts, phone calls and all the giggles," she said.

"We're all still in disbelief this has even happened."

The family had been overwhelmed by support and compassion, however, while Mrs Edwards and her mother, Irene, had kept the pledge they made to Ashlee at her funeral in Okaihau to raise her two young daughters with as much love as they could. Since then the Okaihau community had surrounded the girls with tender loving care.

"I can't thank our local community enough for welcoming them with wide open arms. They're both absolutely thriving. Ashlee would be so proud of them, she was such a doting mother," she said.

She shared memories of Ashlee with the girls every day, showing them photos and retelling events from their mother's younger years.

"They're sleeping in their mummy's old room with her belongings all around them.

"Every night I kiss them good night and tell them their mummy loves them, just like Ashlee would have wanted me to," she added.

Ashlee was described at her funeral, attended by an estimated 700 mourners, as a "happy soul" surrounded by giggles and laughter, and as a young woman brimming with confidence and love for her children.

Her former partner, 29-year-old Jimmy Akuhata, has been charged with her murder.