A young Sherlock fan in Cheshire, England defied the odds all her young life, living 14 years, most of it with a tracheotomy tube needed for breathing, after doctors said she would probably die as an infant.

Eve Shepherd loved the BBC's Sherlock television series and in a fitting tribute to the media-loving teen, mourners at her funeral donned detective hats and listened to a heartfelt note sent by star Benedict Cumberbatch to her parents.

The letter read: "I send my deepest sympathies to Eve's family. To lose someone so young who fought for her health all her life must be beyond endurance.

"I hope they can take solace from the fact that she was clearly much loved and her support of our show is hugely appreciated and shall be remembered.

"I wish I could be there but sadly am filming the show she loved. God rest her soul. With all my love and sympathies, Benedict xxx".

Eve's father said she would be "giggling her head off" at the thought of getting a note from Cumberbatch, who was nominated for an Oscar this year for his performance in The Imitation Game.

The mourners left the church while the Sherlock Holmes theme played in the background.

(READ the story, w/ photos, from the Daily Mail)