The sons of Rebecca Grass have paid tribute to their mum after the 46-year-old was killed in Dartmouth, with one describing his faith in God as a source of comfort as he comes to terms with her death.

Jordan Bastin, who lives in America, said he had been left with “surreal and upsetting emotions” after receiving the news, while leaning on his faith to help him through the loss.

“It is difficult to put into words and describe the feeling of losing a parent, and not something I expected to experience at 28 years old. Especially losing them in this way,” he wrote on social media on October 9.

“I was always looking forward to the day I would see her again on this earth, but most importantly, I believe she was a believer in Jesus, and I believe I will see her one day again in paradise forever.”

Mr Bastin described his mum as “sweet, kind and caring”, saying he would remember her for the smile she always had on her face.

Her other son, Reece Romeril, said the circumstances of her death were “absolutely terrifying to think about”.

“How someone can brutally kill my mother in such a horrible way is absolutely terrifying to think about,” he said.

“Dealing with this is something I would have never expected in life.”

He concluded by saying: “RIP MUM, I love you so much and miss you already”.

Mr Romeril has set up a GoFundMe to give his mother “the send-off she truly deserves”, saying the violence was “like a horror film in real life”.

The fundraiser, titled ‘Let’s give Rebecca the send off she deserves’, has attracted more than £4,500 in donations.

An inquest into Ms Grass’s death was opened on Thursday, October 15, where it was revealed she died from blunt force trauma.

This follows online speculation about the circumstances of her death, including claims that she had been attacked with an axe.

Ms Grass, 46, died at St Barnabas Church on Newcomen Road, Dartmouth, on Tuesday, October 6.

Police were called to the former church at 9.20pm following reports of a “serious disturbance”.

A man in his 40s was also taken to hospital with facial injuries.

Luke Rigby, 38, who lived at St Barnabas Church, was arrested at the scene and charged with Ms Grass’s murder.

He is also charged with four other offences, including causing grievous bodily harm with intent to John Moore, assaulting Joseph Slader, assaulting police officer Louis Radford at Torquay Custody Centre, and racially aggravated public disorder.

Rigby appeared before Judge Robert Linford at Plymouth Crown Court on Monday, October 12, where he was remanded into custody.

A plea and trial preparations hearing was set for Thursday, November 12. No bail application was submitted by his defence.

Residents have also expressed their condolences and “shock” at the incident in the “quiet” waterside town.

One local shop worker, who did not wish to be named, said: “It’s quite worrying really. I often walk my dogs there late at night and don’t think anything of it. What is most tragic is that a family is now ruined.

“Dartmouth is a very quiet and proud place. I know things like this can happen anywhere, but you still never expect it.”

In the immediate aftermath, speculation spread about a separate incident near the Co-op on Fairfax Place involving a dog attack.

Police have confirmed there was no dog attack. Officers said a dog, believed to be Ms Grass’s Border Collie, Rainbow, had escaped from a property in the area and was subsequently caught by a member of the public.

Detective Inspector Guy Biggar, from Devon and Cornwall Police’s Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “We appreciate the concern this distressing incident may have caused.

“We would ask people not to speculate, particularly on social media, while we work to ascertain exactly what has happened.

“Our thoughts are with the family and friends who have lost a loved one in tragic circumstances, and we will continue to support them through this difficult time.”

Flowers and soft toys have been tied to the gates of St Barnabas Church in memory of Ms Grass as the community comes together to grieve this tragic loss.