A MUM who was left "devastated" when her schoolboy son was killed after being given a lethal dose of morphine has been found dead. 

Kerrie Backhouse died suddenly in her sleep at her Manchester home last Thursday. 


JAILED: Kevin Morton  The Barrow-born mum of two fought "tooth and nail" to change the law after she was unable to scatter her son's ashes without a signature from her former partner, Kevin Morton, who  had killed their son, Kye Backhouse, 13, by giving him a morphine tablet to treat a headache in October 2014.

Miss Backhouse's parents said the death of the 42-year-old was a "tragedy" and paid tribute to their daughter. 

Her father, Michael Backhouse, said: "She was a lovely person. She would give you everything she had."
LOVIN MUM: Kerrie Backhouse and Kye Backhouse. Picture submitted by Kerrie and provided by Nigel Bennet

The former Newbarns and Park View school pupil was an integral part of a close-knit family and lived her life for her parents, two sisters and two sons, Liam and Kye. 

Mr Backhouse said: "When she was younger she was mischievous.

"She would stick up for her sisters and would never hear a bad word said about them - she was loyal."

He added: "She was a daddy's girl - she would come to me all the time about different things.

"She would do anything for her family."


Kerrie Backhouse died suddenly at her home in Manchester on Thursday. Her fierce loyalty signalled the start of a tireless campaign to overturn a law which allowed both sets of parents to have a say in funeral arrangements - even if one parent was responsible for the death. 

Determined to release the ashes of her beloved son and make sure no other parent suffers the same fate, Miss Backhouse took her quest to Westminster to get justice. 

Mr Backhouse said: "She was always determined and just wanted to bring Kye home.

"She had to do something to her son's ashes back. She wanted to lay him to rest so she fought tooth and nail for that.

Following her death, friends have rallied round in support of the family and have already received offers to help continue Miss Backhouse's campaign.

Alongside her devotion to her family, Miss Backhouse was also a massive animal lover and opened her heart and her home for many a furry friend who looked in need of a cuddle. 

Mr Backhouse said: "She loved animals and there were so many times that she would come home with a dog or a cat saying it had followed her home from school."

Christine Backhouse, Kerrie's mother, continued: "She thought the world of her children,Liam and Kye.

"She was funny and loved a joke and had loads of friends too."

Mr Backhouse said: "If you had Kerrie as a friend you would get a very good friend indeed."

Although no formal plans for the funeral have been made, the family have confirmed that Miss Backhouse will be brought back to Barrow. 

Mr Backhouse said:"She was a loving daughter, sister, mother, aunt, partner to Craig and friend to many.

"We're going to miss her so much as a family. It's a tragedy."