Elaine McIver was the daughter of Patricia and Frank McIver and sister of Paul and Lynda.100 Her partner was Paul Price.101 Elaine was 43 years old at the time of her death on 22nd May 2017.102
Elaine was the love of Paul’s life.103 They met in the autumn of 2014.104 Paul told of their shared love of music and plans for the future together.105 They had just had an offer accepted on a house, which they were very excited about.106 They had spoken of travelling, including to Australia, New Zealand and Canada.107 Paul felt that they had a long future ahead of them and that they “were finally going to live happily ever after”.108
Elaine’s family spoke about her personality. She was described as having a “lust for life”,109 a massive heart and personality, and being a leader with a “strong sense of fairness and justice”.110 With these qualities, it is perhaps no surprise that she became a police officer, a career she loved.111 Her sister Lynda spoke of how proud she was to be Elaine’s sister and that she was “the best person anyone would wish to know”,112 the family’s favourite.113
Her family made it clear that Elaine would not want to be remembered as a victim.114 I have no doubt it is the joy and love she brought to her family and friends that will be remembered above all.
Events of 22nd May 2017
Paul and Elaine travelled to Manchester that evening to take Paul’s daughter and her friend to the concert.115 While the concert was on, they walked around Manchester and, before having a meal, they had a drink in an open‑air pub, where a man was playing the piano.116 Paul’s memories are of them speaking about the new house117 and that it was a beautiful evening.118
Paul and Elaine returned to the Arena at around 22:00119 to collect Paul’s daughter. They entered the City Room from the direction of Manchester Victoria Railway Station at 22:06:23.120 They waited together in the City Room for the girls to return, listening to the sound of the concert ending.121