Wife of Westminster terror attack victim Kurt Cochran is 'sick of the hatred in this world', inquest hears

Kurt Cochran with his wife, Melissa
PA

The wife of an American tourist killed in the Westminster terror attack said she is “sick of the hatred in this world” as she paid tribute to her “hero” husband on the first day of the Old Bailey inquest.

Melissa Cochran was with husband Kurt on Westminster Bridge when they were hit by a car driven on the pavement by Islamic extremist Khalid Masood.

Utah-born Mr Cochran, 54, died in the attack in March last year. His wife was hurt but survived.

On Monday, Mrs Cochran hailed her husband as “my inspiration, my rockstar, and my hero”.

US tourist Melissa Cochran, whose husband Kurt was killed in the Westminster attack, at a memorial service at Westminster Abbey
AP

In a statement read by her sister Angela Stoll, Mrs Cochran said: “He was my best friend, my husband, and my everything. I am so lucky to have had 25 wonderful years with the man of my dreams. He made me laugh every single day.”

“Our lives will never be the same. I miss you every single second. I am saddened and sick of the hatred in this world — I wish everyone could have Kurt’s love and compassion for others.”

Ms Stoll told the court how Mr Cochran had set up a US music studio for upcoming artists. She added: “No actions will repair the holes ripped in our hearts except forgiveness and love.”

Mr Cochran’s sister Sandy hit out at the “horrific, senseless act” of terror. The inquest is investigating the deaths of the victims — PC Keith Palmer, 48, and four pedestrians, Mr Cochran, Leslie Rhodes, 75, Aysha Frade, 44, and Andreea Cristea, 31. PC Palmer was stabbed to death in the Palaces of Westminster before Masood was shot dead by police.

An inquest into the deaths of the victims of the Westminster attack began at the Old Bailey on Monday

Opening the three-week inquest, coroner Mark Lucraft QC called for a minute’s silence. “The lives of many were torn apart by 82 seconds of terrible drama”, he said. “I hope this process will provide answers to the questions of the families of those who died.”

The court heard how Mr Cochran and his wife, as well as Romanian interior designer Ms Cristea and her boyfriend, were on holiday at the time. Ms Cristea was thrown into the Thames by the car’s impact, and died in hospital. Mr Rhodes, from Clapham, was in central London for an appointment at St Thomas’ Hospital, while Mrs Frade, a school administrator, was on her way to pick up her children from school.

Her husband, John Frade, told the court he and his family remain in “excruciating pain at having to think of Aysha in the past tense. She doesn’t feel like she is gone; her love surrounds us.” He said he had never contemplated his wife would be killed “innocently walking... on her way to picking up her children she loved above all else”.

The inquest for Masood will be heard separately from his victims out of respect for the grieving families.

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