Royal Gazette reporter Tim Greenfield looks back at the life of 17-year-old Canadian visitor Rebecca Middleton, whose horrific murder in Ferry Reach in July, 1996 remains unsolved.

A strong, bright shining flower and certainly no blushing violet, Becky Middleton was blossoming in the summer of 1996.

Her favourite bloom was the sunflower, and with her great smile, that was her trademark, according to mum Cindy.

"She felt good to be around,'' she said.

School vice principal Judie Preece agreed: "Her smile could light up the hallway.'' The outgoing 17-year-old student was about to set off for a holiday of a lifetime, staying with bestfriend Jasmine Meens and her father Rick for six weeks in Bermuda.

Having just finished grade 12 at Belleville's Centennial Secondary School, she was a good student who almost certainly would have gone on to university at the very least.

Friendly but also cautious and streetwise, Cindy had no qualms about her going off for the summer -- she was 16 when she left but turned 17 at the end of June.

Father David Middleton agrees that was she was gregarious but also had a careful streak in her.

"She was cute, she was fun, polite and considerate,'' he said. "She was a people person, not a bookworm.'' Growing up in Belleville, she had a normal childhood and revelled in the safe, traditional surroundings provided in the Ontario city.

Outdoors life dominated, with sailing, water skiing and camping taking up her time.

There were sleepovers with girlfriends, nights out and nights in with the family.

A part-time job at a nearby gas station brought her into contact with more people, many of whom -- although strangers to the family -- came to a memorial service to pay their respects.

"That job was perfect for her, greeting people and being pleasant to customers,'' said Judie Preece.

Family photos paint a picture of Becky, always a cheerful expression or beaming smile. One taken on the plane to Bermuda shows a natural happiness, whereas others taken in Bermuda with Jasmine show a down to earth fun-loving teenager.

"She enjoyed other people,'' said David Middleton, recalling times together when their children, Becky, Matthew and Mark were growing up. "They were happy children, they laughed a lot and we had a lot of fun -- we did a lot of family things.'' Other pictures taken in Bermuda, some by Rick Meens, show the carefree girl with bestfriend Jasmine by her side, basking during an Island summer.

"She had a lot of friends, she was very sociable and her pals cut across all of the cliques,'' said Mrs. Preece. "She was also honest and if she made a mistake she would admit it.'' Her legacy remains in the school with the establishment of a scholarship fund, designed for a student that showed promise and wanted to continue their education.

"It is not academically-based, but continuing education and someone with a real zest for life. A fun, caring, outgoing student -- like Becky,'' said Cindy.

Many of Becky's friends have now left Centennial school, into the world of work or onto university, and there is no doubt the she would have made a positive impact on the world.

Judie Preece: "It is hard to know what she would have done but whatever she decided to do she would have been good at it.'' More than two years down the line, the community and school in particular are finding it hard for the emotional wounds to close up.

The abrupt end of the trial brought a wave of emotion and angered many students, who were looking for answers and some kind of closure.

1996 was a bad year for Belleville, as the murders of three teenagers and two others dying took a heavy toll on its people.

And now the townsfolk will try to return to some semblance of normality, which vice principal Preece says could be hard.

"This has been really really difficult, there has been no real end -- there are so many unanswered questions that remain,'' she said.

The last word goes to Rick Meens, who played host to Becky that summer and had to endure the ordeal along with the Middletons.

He said: "She was a daughter any parent would love to have.'' REQUIEM Requiem Becky's death hit her fellow students hard and in the school year book they expressed their feelings alongside a photo montage of the tragic teenager.

The following is taken from the Centennial 1997 yearbook: A REQUIEM (on the passing of Becky Middleton) She is not a face.

She is a person -- a individual a special person -- a unique individual a young girl in a woman's body whose tangible being is now an iridescent image -- an impalpability an attenuated memory to those who saw a face an omnipresent pain to us who lost a friend.

By Diana Juricevic Becky, Your smile and laughter always managed to put a smile on my face, and make each day worthwhile. I'll never forget the times we spent together, they were some of the best times of my life. I love you Becky and I always will.

Love, Lyndsay HOLIDAY SNAPSHOT -- Best friend and host for the summer holidays Jasmine Meens (left) poses on a rock at Astwood Cove with Rebecca. During their vacation, the girls weren't allowed to use scooters because of safety considerations and were driven around the Island by Jasmine's father Rick. Photos provided by the Middleton family.

IMPISH GRIN -- A young Becky, aged around three, makes time for a family shot whilst enjoying a picnic at Lake Ontario.

ESSENCE OF YOUTH -- On the verge of a great adventure, Becky lights up this picture taken on the flight to Bermuda in June, 1996.

BROTHERS IN HER ARMS -- Becky with brothers Mark (left) and Matthew at home in Canada.