Jo's Final Call To Best Friend - Sky News

1:43pm UK, Wednesday January 12, 2011

Richard Williams, Sky News Online

Murdered Joanna Yeates' best friend has spoken of the telephone conversation the pair shared just hours before the architect went missing.

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Rebecca Scott was the last person known to have talked to Miss Yeates after she left the pub where she had been drinking with work colleagues in Bristol on December 17.

Speaking for the first time of her loss, the 25-year-old said she knew something was wrong when she saw a missed call from police in the early hours of the morning after the weekend.

She said: "I got a call from Jo as she was on her way (home); it was to arrange our plans for Christmas Eve.

"We were both returning to our parents for Christmas and she was bringing (boyfriend) Greg along on Christmas Eve when we went out.

The friends had enjoyed holidays together as teenagers

"It was tradition that we'd meet in our local area. She was trying to persuade me to spend New Year in Edinburgh with her, too; I couldn't commit but our plans for Christmas Eve were set.

"It wasn't unusual not to hear from Jo from then; we were both useless with our phones.

"The next phone call I got was around 4am on Monday December 20, it was a missed call from the police.

"I instantly knew something was wrong so I called Jo's phone and Greg answered telling me what had happened. We all knew something was wrong but were in denial about the situation.

Has a friend or family member been acting strangely or suspiciously? If so please call the police and think about how you'd never want your best friend found murdered on Christmas day.

Joanna Yeates's best friend, Rebecca Scott

"I always hoped she was still alive but deep down I couldn't help but think she'd been abducted and some harm had come to her.

"On Christmas Day we heard the news we had all been dreading, we had the TV on watching the news when it was reported a body had been found.

"In a way I felt relief at the news. I was gutted, too, but I knew that she was now not a missing person and no further harm could come to her.

"I remember sending her mum a message saying 'I'm sorry', I didn't know what else to say."

Miss Scott said she only had fond memories of her best friend

The pair had been friends for 10 years since studying together and Miss Scott said Joanna, 25, had never been happier.

"Every memory I have of her is a fond one, from those first nights out we had together to those holidays in Cornwall where we'd spend time camping," she said.

"She was so happy with Greg, too. She'd been with him for over two years and they were perfect for each other."

Miss Scott also urged anyone with information about her best friend's murder to contact police.

:: Dec 17: Miss Yeates leaves the Ram pub at 8pm to walk home.

:: Dec 20: Police make first appeal over Miss Yeates' disappearance.

:: Dec 26: Police confirm a body found on Christmas Day is that of Miss Yeates.

:: Full timeline of events.

"You may not have seen or heard anything but think back - has a friend or family member been acting strangely or suspiciously?

"If so, please call the police and think about how you'd never want your best friend found murdered on Christmas Day."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Operation Braid incident room at Avon and Somerset Police on 0845 456 7000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.