THE heartbroken parents of a woman believed to have been murdered in North Yorkshire have paid tribute to “an angel”.

Laura Smith, 29, died after being found unconscious at a house in Southwold Rise, Eastfield, in Scarborough, on Sunday.

The young mum, who had a baby girl Olivia, was taken to Scarborough District Hospital and died on Monday, a police spokesman said.

Nigel Pickard, 45, of Scarborough, appeared at Leeds Crown Court on Thursday charged with her murder. He was remanded in custody until September.

Laura’s parents Colin and Trish Smith said in a joint statement: “From the day Laura was born our hearts swelled with pride and love.

“She lit up the lives of many people with her zest for life and bubbly personality. She had no side, what you saw was what she was like.

“In Olivia, Laura lives on. She too has an engaging smile and a lively personality.

The world for us and the family will be a less bright place. Laura was the sunshine of our days and the twinkling stars of our nights.

“An angel in the making.”