Raw grief and a sea of love in the face of unimaginable tragedy

In the face of unimaginable tragedy, a community came together in solidarity and love. More than 200 people congregated outside the home of a family torn apart.

Almost seven days ago, a loving mother took her last breath. Alberta Obinim, 43, was killed in a knife attack outside her house.

Her husband, Joshua Obinim, 64, and the couple's 17-year-old daughter, were both seriously hurt in the same shocking incident. Father and daughter remain in hospital.

READ MORE: Gorton triple stabbing: Suspect, 22, detained under Mental Health Act after horror knife attack

The suspect, a 22-year-old man said by police to be 'known to the victims', was initially arrested on suspicion of murder but has since been detained under the Mental Health Act. As a police investigation continues, family members, friends and loved ones made a pilgrimage to their home, in Barnard Road, Gorton.

Over the past week, the front garden has become a shrine to Alberta. On Saturday night, as the sun began to set, and the grey crowds mercifully departed, even more tributes were paid as people gathered on the same street which had been taped off by police a week ago.

The road was closed off by police, to allow an emotionally charged vigil to begin just before 7pm. Raw emotion was on display, as loved ones could not contain their despair. Perhaps the absence of the trio from the family home, a place of calm in which they should have been safe, brought the horror home even further.

Others stood in mournful contemplation as music was played, prayers were read, and pastors gave sermons and religious parables. Religion is central to Obinim family, with Mr Obinim being a pastor at the Blessed Baptist Temple in Levenshulme, where the family also attended. Stood