Cornwall has been rocked to its core after the deaths of four young people in just four days, starting with a woman aged just 19.

There has been an outpouring of heartbreak and condolences for the families who have lost loved ones in the most tragic of circumstances across Cornwall since Friday (March 15).

Some knew those involved and paid moving personal tributes to them and expressed sympathies to their loved ones. Others simply expressed heartfelt condolences to their families, friends and other people affected by their deaths.

As news of the tragic events emerged virtually day after day, people also expressed shock at the sheer number of local people lost as such young ages within such a short period of time.

The first to be reported was the shocking find of a teenager off Malpas Road in Truro early in the morning.

The parents of a beautiful teenager whose body was discovered on a bank of the Truro River bank on Friday (March 15) say she was “wonderful cherished daughter and friend”.

Pearl Bamford, aged 19 and from Bude, tragically died on Friday morning, and her family issued a touching tribute to the youngster.

“Pearl was a beautiful unique creative young woman with a great future ahead of her,” they said.

“She shone brightly and her light will be sorely missed. Her family and friends are mourning the tragic and untimely loss of their wonderful cherished daughter and friend.”

Emergency services were first called to the scene behind the large Tesco store at about 10am after a member of the public made the tragic discovery.

Paramedics attempted to resuscitate the teenager at the scene. She was sadly pronounced dead in hospital a short time later.

Pearl Bamford,from Bude

A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said enquiries into her death have been completed and police are waiting for the results of a formal post-mortem.

They added: “Her family are aware of these developments and this death is currently being treated as unexplained; this matter is not thought to be suspicious.”

On Facebook, Sea Sea Sodhi wrote: "Sympathies to the family on this awful news! She was a bright spark with her whole life ahead of her, such sad news, totally shocked us in N. Cornwall. R.I.P Pearl. Another one taken too soon."

Dawn Nevett wrote: "My deepest sympathy to all her family and friends. Such a beautiful looking young lady taken far to soon. R.I.P angel."

Mel Topping: "RIP beautiful girl, you're gonna be missed so much by so many people. They will all support each other and they will get through this xxx. Sleep tight with the angels."

Ann Martin: "Heartbreaking for all her family and friends. Bless her soul."

Shannon Mai Isaacs: "Such an amazing girl rest in peace peace Pearl."

Suzanne Brown: "What a waisted young life. R.I.P. young lady. Heartfelt condolences to your family, loved ones and friends."

Gem Sandercock: "Sleep tight Pearl - thoughts to all the family at this tragic time."

Elizabeth Cowan: "Gone so soon so pretty my heart goes to her parents may they be comforted."

Specialist police officers conducted searches along the Truro River after Pearl was found

Lisa Williams: "So so sad. R.I.P beautiful girl. Love and thoughts to the family and friends at such an awful and tragic time."

Raymond Pauline Spargo: "So sorry to hear the loss of your beautiful daughter we hope that you have a lot of comfort at this sad time."

Patricia Lewis: "We knew you for a short while, we will never forget you Pearl. RIP. Sincere condolences to her parents and brother."

Michelle Ann-marie Smith: "Sending all of my love to all of this beautiful young lady's family and friends such a tragic situation and so so very sad. Rest peacefully beautiful."

Sophie Panter: "So sad, RIP Pearl. I didn't know you but you are such a beautiful girl and so young thoughts to her family friends and people that knew her. Just wanna cry even though I don't know you. Angels will look after you. So sorry to hear this."

Catherine Lawry: "So young so beautiful so heart breaking."

ST AUSTELL

A 26-year-old man died following a collision near St Austell on Saturday.

Ryan Taylor, from St Austell, sustained fatal injuries after his silver Jaguar XF was in collision with a green Mazda MX5 on the A390 at St Mewan Dip around 5.30pm.

A screen shot of the JustGiving page set up memory of Ryan Taylor

Sadly, he was pronounced deceased at the scene.

A spokesperson from Devon and Cornwall Police said the driver of the Mazda, a 32-year-old man from Truro, sustained serious injuries and was taken to Treliske Hospital where he remains in a critical condition.

Officers from the roads policing team, including specialist forensic collision investigators, closed the road for approximately six hours in order to carry out a thorough scene investigation.

LOSTWITHIEL

A heartbroken wife paid tribute to her “perfect” husband after a body, believed to be his, was found following an extensive search.

On Monday, Devon and Cornwall Police appealed for help amid increasing concern regarding the welfare and safety of 32-year-old Jowan Evans from Lostwithiel, who had been missing since on Sunday afternoon.

Despite extensive efforts from officers and members of the public, Jowan’s family were later told that a body had been discovered in woodland.

Following the discovery, Jowan’s wife Lucie took to Facebook to post an emotive message, accompanied by a photo taken on their wedding day.

Jowan Evans of Lostwithiel

In the public post, she thanked those who assisted in the search and said Jowan's "love and courage will live on".

She said: “To everyone who searched and took their time to help look for Jowan, we as a family appreciate it all.

“The words I never thought I would write. To my darling Jowan, the perfect husband, the amazing dad, the fabulous son. 

“You may have been taken too soon by a dark demon but your love and courage will live on.

“We never doubted you. The strongest hard working man I know. A credit to your three boys. Rubin, Ezra and Arlo all love you more than words can know, we will throw your love and inspiration to them all.

“Depression is the worse. A dark hole that eats away at you, there is no way out. To the proud man I call my husband I do not hate you for leaving us. I love that we were blessed with you in our lives for five years.

“My husband; I am proud of you. The best dad, son and husband I know. You will shine bright.

“I know you are up there and you’re life is better. We will watch the sky and watch the sun. You are the sun, our love, our soul. Daddy, Jowan, Jo we are here forever.

“You will never be alone again.”

Jowan Evans was last seen at about 3pm on Sunday, March 17

Margaret Holman posted on Facebook: "What amazing words from a strong woman, my heart breaks for you all."

Suzi Kendall posted: "What beautiful words. I feel your heartache. I said the same five years ago when my son died. Keep strong and cherish your memories."

Trudz Hoswell: "May you be at peace now how heartbreaking."

Rickie Tatum: "My genuine and heartfelt sympathy goes out to this man's wife, sons and family. May he rest in peace."

Harley Creear: "Such beautiful words. So so sorry for your loss. What a strong and courageous woman you are, sending you thoughts and prayers to you and your family."

Karl Rance: "Such sad news, top bloke when I knew him years ago. Thoughts are with all his family."

Lianne Welch: "I can't believe this, such a nice, kind, funny and caring person. A massively sad loss for his family,my heart goes out to them. I'm so sorry to hear this. Poor Jowan."

Sarah Bulpin: "So so sorry. Another poor life lost. Breaks my heart."

Sue Bayly: "So so sad. I watched this young man grow up from a baby, he was my daughter's friend growing up and I know his mum dad and sisters. My heart goes out to all of them but especially to his wife and young family. RIP Jowan."

FALMOUTH

Police officers were this morning attempting to identify a man whose body was found in the water at Falmouth on Monday afternoon.

Officers from Devon and Cornwall Police, coastguards, paramedics and the RNLI were called to the Prince of Wales Pier at about 3pm.

The Falmouth inshore lifeboat, which was tasked at 3.05pm, recovered the body from the water.

Falmouth’s Atlantic 75 inshore lifeboat Eve Pank on exercise in Falmouth Bay

A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesperson said that efforts are being made to identify the individual.

No further details about him have been released at this stage.

A spokesman from the Coastguard headquarters in Falmouth said a coastguard crew from Falmouth and an RNLI crew from Falmouth both attended the incident.

They received a call from police requesting assistance after the body was seen in the water. The RNLI crew recovered the body and brought it to the shore.

Si Dunners commented on Facebook: "Firstly that poor girl in Truro River now this poor guy. What's going on in Cornwall at moment?"

Ness Jelbert wrote: "Three people in a week. Dreadful times for a lot of people... I was saddened to read about the young dad and husband that died this weekend."

Alison Wonderland: "Just so sad, they are all so young. So much to give this world."

Katy Rose: "Girl in Truro, man this afternoon in Lostwithiel and now another body in Falmouth!"

Laurel Eathorne: "Why is this all happening to all these poor people?"

Lindsey Foster: "So sad, so many taken far to soon. May you all RIP, my thoughts are with all their family and friends at this awful time."

Jackie Sowerie: "How sad. My what's going on? First the news of the young lady in Truro, now this and a young man at Lostwithiel... So sad."