AN IBM worker and his wife have paid tribute to their son, who died in the American school massacre.
Ian and Nicole Hockley said six-year-old Dylan was a ‘special, gorgeous angel.’
The youngster was one of 20 children was shot dead at Sandy Hook Elementary School, in Newtown, Connecticut, by gunman Adam Lanza.
Hampshire-born Dylan, his brother Jake, eight, and his parents Nicole and Ian lived in Eastleigh before moving to America two years ago.
Jake went to the same school but survived.
In a statement released by police in the US, the family said: ‘We will always be a family of four.
‘Even though Dylan is no longer physically with us, he is forever in our hearts and minds.
‘We love you Mister D, our special gorgeous angel.’
Dylan’s family said they would ‘never regret’ the move to Sandy Hook, which they chose for the community and elementary school.
‘Our boys have flourished here and our family’s happiness has been limitless,’ they said.
‘We take great comfort in knowing that Dylan was not alone when he died, but was wrapped in the arms of his amazing aide, Anne Marie Murphy.
‘Dylan loved Mrs Murphy so much and pointed at her picture on our refrigerator every day.
‘Though our hearts break for Dylan, they are also filled with love for these and the other beautiful women who all selflessly died trying to save our children.’
His British father Ian is employed by IBM, which has three sites in Hampshire, including its UK headquarters in Portsmouth. It is not known whether he worked there before moving to America, or at the company’s site at Hursley near Winchester.
In a statement the company said: ‘We are deeply saddened by this tragedy and our thoughts are very much with Ian and his family.’
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