THE American fiancé of Jolene Potter-Connolly has revealed how they fell in love at first sight.

The 23-year-old chatted to Jon Eichner in a bar while studying in America - and from that moment on they were inseparable.

Jon has flown to England following the tragedy early on Thursday morning which claimed Jolene's life.

She died after being dragged by a car in the car park at the leisure complex in Folly Hall.

Police arrested three men - two aged 25 and a 17-year-old - who were later released on bail, pending further inquiries.

Jon - who flew from his home in Atlanta, Georgia - with his brother, Mike, said: "Jolene was such a wonderful person. People were so captivated by her spirit. I certainly was. She was the most fascinating person I have ever met.

"She was like a whirlwind. She had the kind of personality that lifted me up every moment I was with her. All we needed was each other and we were totally happy.

"She never judged anybody. She only saw the best in people."

Jolene was on a business studies course at Huddersfield University, but jumped at the chance to spend a year studying at the all-girls Agnes Scott College in Atlanta.

One night in January, 2001, she went to a bar with a friend.

Jon's friend was chatting to Jolene's room-mate and she approached him.

Jon - a website and graphic designer - said: "Her first words to me were `if you don't talk to me then I'll talk to you' - and that was it. We chatted for hours until the people with us were falling asleep!

"At the end of the evening she said to me: `I've not done talking to you yet, so here's my phone number.' I called her the next day and we were dating ever since. We were inseparable."

Jolene's mother, Marcia, said: "I remember Jolene phoning me from America at that time to say a boyfriend had dumped her.

"She said: "Mum, I've been ditched. I've never been ditched before, but I've glad because I've met this bloke Jon'."

The couple had to part in early June, 2001, when Jolene returned to Huddersfield to continue her university degree here.

The separation focused Jon's deep feelings for her even more and he jetted across a month later with a mission in mind.

He had an amethyst engagement ring and planned to propose to Jolene in Blackpool.

"I don't really know why Blackpool," said Jon. "I guess it was something to do with rollercoasters.

"I had the ring in a box in my pocket when we went to the university to do some work on computers.

"At one stage we had to leave the university's library while they did something with the computer system.

"While we stood in the foyer, Jolene looked at her fingers and said she needed some new rings.

"I said `why don't you wear my ring' and gave her the box.

"It was the most wonderful moment in my life."

Jon and Jolene always made a point of getting together at least every two months. Jon flew here or Jolene jetted to the States.

But they also contacted one another every day.

Jon said: "We spoke on the phone every day and sent a lot of texts. My phone bill was pretty hefty."

Jolene - who achieved an upper second honours degree - was due to fly to America next week to start a new life.

Under the terms of her visa, the couple would have married within 90 days.

They planned to tie the knot in Las Vegas and hold a family celebration later.

Jon and his brothers, Mike, 36, and Rob, 35, had already lost their mother and grandmother this year.

Mike said: "Jon was so looking forward to Jolene coming to America. It would have been a new start for him. It's been such a rough year - and now this has happened."

Wiping away tears, Jon added: "I kind of knew Jolene was the one for me straight away and when she moved back to England I didn't want anything to jeopardise us.

"I knew I'd never find anyone like her again."

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