Milton Keynes murders: Dom Ansah's parents pay tribute to their son

Dom, along with childhood friend Ben Gillham-Rice, were killed in what police described as a ‘callous act’ by five people.

READ MORE: Milton Keynes murders: Ben Gillham-Rice's parents pay tribute to their son

Those convicted of the teenager’s murders were sentenced to life in jail on January 6, 2021, and will have to serve collectively 126 years before they are considered for release.

Dom’s parents, Tracey and Dominic, said: “Dom was born on December 27, 2001, weighing 2lb 9oz, arriving 11 minutes after his twin sister Holly.

“After eight weeks in the hospital, we were allowed to bring our babies home and Dom grew into an adventurous young boy, eager to learn and explore.

Dom with his twin sister, Holly

“He loved everything, from fishing with his grandad to street dancing with his sister, baking cakes with mum and playing football with dad.

“Dom was by his twin sister Holly’s side in everything that they did.

“They were never apart, and that did not change as they got older.

“They were always together, so even now when Holly comes down the stairs, we still expect to see Dom following behind.

“It breaks our hearts when we realise that is never going to happen again.

He formed some amazing friendships at school, with Ben being one of them.

“From the age of four, Dom and Ben became inseparable even when they played different sports, Dom's being basketball and Ben's football.

“They both joined in and were supportive of each other, even though Dom thought Liverpool were a better team than Ben's Tottenham.

Dom with his mum, Tracey

READ MORE: Milton Keynes: Life imprisonment for Dom Ansah and Ben Gillham-Rice's murderers

“Dom was part of a friendship group with many of them being friends from a young age and most of them becoming an extended part of our family, for which we are very proud of their achievements.

“Dom loved being with his big family, from cousins to aunties he always made time for everyone, he was all about family.

“He was a protector to Holly, he was kind and caring.

“He spent more time at home with his family than he did out with his friends.

Dom loved family holidays from Paris to Australia and everywhere else in between.

“He loved to make people laugh, sometimes at his own expense.

Dom with his dad, Dominic Owusu-Ansah

“He was the life and soul of a party and he would light up the room.

“He had a laugh that was so infectious that even if it was not funny, you would still laugh. How we miss hearing that laugh.

“Now, we have to watch videos every day just to hear his voice and his laugh, something that no mother, father or sister should have to go through.

“Dom made people feel at ease. You never felt alone when he was around.

“He was loyal and honest and loved life.

“Even at 17-years-old and six feet tall, he had a smile that would melt anyone's heart.

“Dom wasn’t just our son, he was our best friend and the light of our lives along with Holly.

Dom with his family 

READ MORE: Milton Keynes murders: Five people to be sentenced for the double killing of teens

“Our heart breaks every day waking up feeling this gut-wrenching pain of not having our son, not hearing him calling us mum and dad, not having that cuddle every day, not hearing him say ‘I love you mum’.

“Because Dom was never afraid or embarrassed to say those words, even in front of his friends.

“I don’t get to see his smiley face or get that kiss goodnight on the forehead.

“I miss him calling me daddy, asking me to watch or play football or just spend time together.

Ben (left) and Dom (right) died on October 19, 2019

“Holly has lost her other half, and as parents, we can see the emptiness and sadness in her eyes and as parents, all we want to do is take her pain away but we can’t.

“Dom will never have the chance to be a father or an uncle, pass his driving test, or open the barbershop he so wanted.

“The family will never recover from this.

“How could we when we have lost the most precious person that gave us so much?

“We don’t want to celebrate Christmas, birthdays, or go on family holidays, because we cannot bear the thought of Dom not being part of these memories.

“Each day now, we just survive.

READ MORE: 'Another senseless stabbing, when will they stop?' - Family pay tribute to 18-year-old Jay Fathers

“He has already missed Holly going to university and will continue to miss her other milestones.

“Dom had nearly 500 people attend his funeral.

Dom (left) and Ben (right) were best friends

“That shows how much he was and always will be loved.

“We do not have enough words to tell you how much Dom meant to us, what we have lost, and our daily struggles without him.”