Family of woman who died in O2 Academy Brixton crush tell of anguish over waiting months for release of body

The family of a woman who died during a crowd crush at the O2 Academy have spoken out after having to wait more than three months for her body to be returned.

Rebecca Ikumelo, 33, and security guard Gaby Hutchinson, 23, both died after fans stormed the venue during a show by the Afrobeats star Asake on December 15. Several others were injured.

Speaking at her funeral on Friday, Ms Ikumelo’s family said they were left saddened that her body was held by the coroner for so long.

"She was such a special person," her aunt Mary told the BBC.

"It has been so, so difficult to comprehend what we’ve been through as a family... we only just got Rebecca’s body back.

"Why did it take so long? We are a patient family and we will fight as we wait for justice."

Hundreds of people paid their respects to the mother-of-two during her funeral.

Her coffin arrived in a carriage led by white horses outside her family’s home in Stratford, east London.

The cortege then made its way to East London Crematorium for the burial service.

The O2 Academy Brixton has been ordered to remain shut until mid-April while a police probe into the crush continues.

Academy Music Group, which runs the venue, said it expressed its "sincere condolences to the families of those who died during the tragic incident".