- Tony McLernon, 23, accused of killing Eystna Blunnie, 20, who was found fatally injured next to a busy road in Harlow, Essex
- McLernon appears before Chelmsford Magistrates also charged with child destruction after it emerged Ms Blunnie was heavily pregnant
- Distraught parents Kevin and Susan Blunnie paid tribute to their 'wonderful and loving daughter'
By Ryan Kisiel, William Jaffray and Daniel Miller
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A man has appeared in court today charged with the murder of a heavily pregnant woman and the killing of her unborn baby girl.
Tony McLernon, 23, is accused of killing 20-year-old Eystna Blunnie, who was found fatally injured in a street in Harlow, Essex in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
He was also charged with child destruction after it emerged that Ms Blunnie from Harlow was heavily pregnant at the time of her death.
Essex Police said McLernon appeared before magistrates in Chelmsford and was remanded in custody to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on Tuesday.
Brutal: The body of pregnant Eystna Blunnie, pictured, was found dying on the side of a road in Harlow
Ms Blunnie from Harlow, Essex, was found with severe head and facial injuries on a busy road less than a quarter of a mile from her family home.
She was taken to Princess Alexandra hospital in Harlow at 3am on Wednesday but died of multiple head and facial injuries.
When she died, her profile picture on Facebook featured a recent ultrasound scan. She told friends she 'could not wait' to be a mother and added: 'Only 17 days and counting.'
Ms Blunnie's parents Kevin and Susan described her attack, near to Howard Way, Harlow, in the early hours of Wednesday morning as 'horrific'.
Distraught: People lay flowers on the side of a main road Howard Way, Harlow near to where Eystna Blunnie and her unborn baby were brutally beaten to death
Grief: Two friends console each other beside tributes to the college student who was due to give birth
They said: 'We hope that you will understand that we have suffered a tragic loss to our family. Our daughter and granddaughter have been taken from us in such a tragic and horrific way.
'We can't begin to explain how we feel. Eystna was a wonderful and loving daughter who was looking forward to the birth of her first child. Sadly this will no longer be.
'We hope that everyone will understand the sadness in our hearts and let us mourn our sadness of the passing of our loved ones.'
Friends paid tribute to Miss Blunnie leaving flowers on a park bench near the patch of grass where Miss Blunnie was found.
Tragic: More friends of Eystna Blunnie, lay floral tributes at the scene. They have also written messages of condolence on Facebook
One friend, Chloe Hickman, 20, wrote: 'It's a terrible and wicked thing to happen to such a lovely, bubbly girl.
'Eystna was such a popular and positive person and was due to be induced at the weekend. She was really looking forward to becoming a mum.'
Family friend Sally Bugg, 57, said: 'She was bundle of joy and was so looking forward to being a mum.
'We saw her during the Jubilee and she was cuddling her baby bump and smiling from ear to ear. It's absolutely heart-breaking what has happened.'
Shocking: A mourner reads some of the touching messages left at the spot where Miss Blunnie was found
One of Eystna's close friends Charlotte Bird wrote on Facebook: 'Hates that I'm gonna go bed tonight and not sleep a wink but all I will be thinking bout are my 2 Beautiful darling Angels tonight who are at peace and now out of trouble sleep tight princesses.'
When Eystna was five months pregnant she told friends online she was hoping to give birth to a boy, but the brave expectant mother was preparing for life as a single mother.
Describing herself on her profile page Eystna said: 'I'm 20yrs old 21yrs old this year and going to be a mummy soon can't wait.'
An Essex Police spokesman said: 'Estyna was heavily pregnant at the time of her death. She was due to give birth to a baby girl in the next few days.'
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