A FRIEND of Jennifer Taylor, who killed her 11-year-old son while severely depressed, says she was “absolutely devoted to him”.

On Friday (Oct 2) Taylor, 45, was detained in a mental health hospital indefinitely after killing son James in November last year while suffering severe depression triggered by massive debts.

Donna Holpin has been a friend of Taylor for the past six years and her two sons were close to James, playing tennis together twice a week.

The Horton Kirby resident says Taylor was a wonderful single mother and showed no signs of having problems.

She said: “In the weeks leading up to what happened there was no indication that anything was wrong. It was a total shock.”

“My husband phoned me at work and told me what had happened and I was just in shock, devastated.”

She added: “I have two grieving children at home because James was such a big part of their life.”

“He was a delightful child. He was polite and very calm.”

Mrs Holpin says Taylor is not a cold-blooded killer and will be haunted by what she did to her son.

She said: “I want people to know the human side of Jenny.

“She had a lovely way about her and she was generous and kind, and calm and devoted to James.

“She was just so dedicated to him. She did not have a partner or a huge social life. Her life revolved around James.”

“I miss her. I have written to her a few times to let her know I am here for her, but she has not replied.”

Kent police Chief Inspector Jon Clayden was the senior detective called to the scene of James’ death.

He said: “This has been one of the most tragic incidents I have encountered.”

“Officers who found James’ body on the day his mother reported that she had killed him, and tried to kill herself, will never forget the scene they discovered.

“James’ relatives have had the double blow of dealing with his death in the knowledge that he had been killed by his own mother - an almost unbearable scenario.”