Brenda Leyland: Son of woman accused of trolling Madeleine McCann's parents pays tribute to his mother
Brenda Leyland was found dead in a Leicestershire hotel on Saturday
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The son of a woman accused of trolling the parents of Madeleine McCann has paid tribute to his mother after she was found dead in a hotel.
Brenda Leyland, 63, had been identified as one of a number of "trolls" posting hate messages aimed at the McCanns.
She was found in a Leicestershire hotel on Saturday. Police have said the death is not being treated as suspicious.
A Twitter user called Ben Leyland, identified in reports as her son, posted a brief tribute on the site which read: "I love you mum and I will miss you forever."
Messages of condolences have also been posted on to the site, while a number of Facebook pages have been set up including "Brenda Leyland Rest in Peace" and another calling for a "open public enquiry" into her death.
One Twitter user wrote: "I'm shocked, saddened, appalled, horrified - so many emotions. This should not have happened. Such a waste of a good life. RIP Sweepyface".
Mrs Leyland was exposed by Sky News as being one of the people behind an online campaign against the McCanns.
She was tracked down to her house in Burton Overy, Leicestershire, and confronted about her online activities. It was revealed that, using the Twitter handle sweepyface, she posted messages attacking the family.
Asked why she was using her Twitter account to attack the couple, she said: "I'm entitled to do that."
The encounter was shown on Thursday last week and the next day it was reported she had left the village.
A Leicestershire Police spokesman has said: "Officers were called at 1.42pm on Saturday October 4 following a report of Brenda Leyland being found deceased at a hotel room in Smith Way, Grove Park.
"Ms Leyland’s death is not being treated as suspicious and a file is being prepared for the Coroner.
"Officers acting on behalf of the Coroner will look into the circumstances surrounding and prior to her unexpected death."
Additional reporting by Press Association