THE husband of Kimberley Kettlety has paid tribute to a caring and kind-hearted mother who would do anything for her children, in an emotional first interview since she was found dead.

Mrs Kettlety's family and friends spent weeks searching for the mother-of-two, who was last seen in Newport on November 8.

Tragically, her body was found near Caerleon in mid-December.

She was described by her husband, Gareth, as "a great person."

He said: "Everybody loved her, she would go out of her way to help people."

South Wales Argus:

(Kimberley Kettlety (right) with her husband, Gareth; her mother, Barbara Grant; and her sons, Ethan (standing) and Max. All pictures courtesy of the family of Kimberley Kettlety)

Mr Kettlety said his wife had spent years battling for their eldest son, Ethan, to receive proper care following his diagnosis with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

"When Ethan went to school he was diagnosed with ASD. Kim tried her best to get everything for him. She battled hard, and once she figured out how it all worked, she took it upon herself to help others," he said.

South Wales Argus:

(Kimberley Kettlety with sons Ethan, 11, and Max, 7)

Mrs Kettlety befriended other mothers in Newport whose children had ASD, and was determined to help them receive the proper services to which they were entitled.

"With all this, Kim was hoping to becoming an advocate for this sort of thing, but she always had her own troubles," Mr Kettlety said.

"Unfortunately, she self-medicated with alcohol."

Mr Kettlety said his wife became depressed after the birth of their first son.

"Before the older boy’s ASD [diagnosis], she didn’t know what it was and thought it was her fault," he said.

South Wales Argus:

(Kimberley Kettlety with son Max)

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Mr Kettlety said his wife's love for her children – Ethan and Max – and for the people she knew meant she would be sorely missed.

"She loved her boys unconditionally. She would do anything for them.

"She fought to give her son the best she could. That shows today with how well he’s coping. He loves school, he’s doing really well and that’s because of her.

"She was a great person, the best at helping other people but not at helping herself. I suppose helping others was a way to make herself feel better.

"She’ll be greatly missed. So many people cared about her. She’s touched a lot of people’s lives."

Kimberley Kettlety's funeral will be held at St John's Church in Rogerstone on Friday, January 25, 11.15am.

Mr Kettlety has set up a tribute page in his wife's memory, which you can find here.