Stourbridge stabbings: Father speaks of pain as funeral date revealed
"I'm still numb. It's still very raw. The loss of a wife and child - it's impossible to put into words."
Peter Wilkinson fought back tears as he spoke of his wife Tracey and 13-year-old son Pierce, who were so cruelly taken from him.
Just weeks on from a senseless attack which tore this close family apart, the 47-year-old struggled as he considered what now seems an impossible task of trying to rebuild his life without them.
Mr Wilkinson was speaking as it was announced the funerals of wife Tracey, 50, and young son Pierce, who were killed in a horrific stabbing at the family home in Stourbridge, would be held next month.
The company director said he wanted the service to be an 'uplifting' event. Those attending have been told they do not need to wear black.
Mr Wilkinson, who was left fighting for his life but survived the attack in Greyhound Lane, said he remains 'numb' after what happened and is merely 'existing' day to day.
His wife and son both died after suffering multiple stab wounds at the property on March 30.
The joint funeral will be held at St Mary's Church in Oldswinford on Wednesday, June 7 from 11am.
Mr Wilkinson told the Express & Star: "Black is not compulsory. Just because we want the funeral to be uplifting and not a dark ceremony.
"Pierce was taken so young so it is not a celebration. They would have wanted people to be thinking of them, not necessarily mourning."
Mr Wilkinson, who is a managing director at Hill & Smith and Asset International in Bilston, said he was struggling to come to terms with the loss of his wife and son.
Asked about how he is coping, the devastated father replied: "Existing. I still get very emotional about it.
"Day to day I am getting through to hopefully a brighter place in the future."
He said daughter Lydia, 18, who was away at university in Bristol at the time of the attack, had been an invaluable support in the days and weeks following the tragedy.
Mr Wilkinson said: "She has been a massive support. She is very strong.
"She was told to expect the worst so finding out I was going to live was an uplifting point for her."
Mr Wilkinson, who continues to recover from his injuries, said he plans to go back to work full-time at some point but does not know when that will be.
He added: "We were a close family, a normal, close family. We have just been ripped apart by this."
Aaron Barley, 23, has admitted attempting to murder Mr Wilkinson. He is also charged with murdering Tracey and Pierce but has yet to enter pleas.
