Shyanne-Lee Tatnell’s family and friends remember her at memorial event in Launceston

The family of Shyanne-Lee Tatnell fought back tears as they remembered her at a birthday event for the late teenager on Sunday, looking back on the times she made them smile.

Bobby-Lee Ketchell with a young Shyanne-Lee Tatnell. Picture: Facebook

The siblings of Shyanne-Lee Tatnell’s have fondly remembered their late sister, at a memorial event in Launceston, looking back on the fun, silliness and laughs they shared.

Friends and family gathered at the event in Launceston on Sunday, ahead of Shyanne’s funeral next week.

In memory of the 14 year old, those who attended wore teal ribbons to remember her.

“Teal is Shyanne-Lee’s favourite colour, when we had the vigil, a lovely lady made bows, me and my best friend made more to bring today,” Shyanne’s mother Bobby-Lee Ketchell said.

Shyanne-Lee was remembered at a memorial event at Launceston’s City Park on Sunday.

Ms Ketchell said she’d been struggling since Shyanne’s disappearance and the news her remains had been found at a property at Nabowla on July 26.

“I have good days and bad days,” she said

Ms Ketchell said she had received a lot of support and positivity from her community and from strangers.

“It doesn’t make it hurt any less,” she said.

“[But] Shyanne was loved by so many and touched so many people’s lives in so many ways.”

Shyanne’s funeral, which will be held on August 12, will be open to the public and will be livestreamed.

“I want Shyanne's legacy to make awareness of holding your kids tight, be aware of safety, being out after dark, I hope her legacy is like that to help other families,” Ms Ketchell said.

Shyanne’s older sister Lakeesha said the last few weeks had been tough, but it was good to have answers.

“It’s been a struggle, it really has,” Lakeesha said.

Lakeesha said she wanted Shyanne to be remembered.

“[I want] for everyone to remember that she was really nice at times,” she said.

“The fact she was a nice sister and a nice person and a nice friend.”

Shyanne-Lee's mother, Bobby-Lee Ketchell and siblings Lakeesha and Jethro.

Shyanne’s younger brother Jethro said he missed Shyanne.

“Shyanne was a good sister, a really really stubborn one,” Jethro laughed.

Jethro remembered the times Shyanne made him laugh.

“I was in her room and put fake nails on myself and she put it on backwards and said look ‘you’ve got backward nails’, and I laughed so much,” Jethro said.

“[We would] go outside and run, race each other.

“The best part was when me and Shyanne were fighting, it was really funny.”

Members of the public had been leaving tributes of flowers and bears for Shyanne along the Henry St Bridge, which were taken down on Sunday.

“They’ve all been packed up in a box and I take them home today,” Ms Ketchell said.

“I can’t thank people enough who did the memorial on the bridge today, it means a lot to our family.

“It’s so touching, there’s a lot of love and support out there.”

Tributes left at Launceston's Henry St bridge, the site of the last-known sighting of Shyanne-Lee Tatnell. Picture: Jon Tuxworth

Ms Ketchell thanked her community for the support her family had received.

“I want to thank not only the Launceston community for coming here today, my family and friends in Burnie, the SES, police CIB, all the volunteers that helped with Shyanne’s case and helped me bring my daughter home,” she said.

“This was not the outcome that we had hoped, but I’m a blessed mum, to have my child, to be able to farewell her and let everyone know she’s the most loved child out there, that she was taken too soon and had a life ahead of her.”