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Heartbreaking tribute to backpacker found dead as accused murderer faces court


A man accused of the murder of an English backpacker has faced court in New Zealand on Monday, while her family struggles to come to terms with the death of the 22-year-old celebrating her university graduation with a world tour.

The 26-year-old accused was taken into custody after police launched a homicide probe over the weekend and found Grace Millane’s body in bush on the western outskirts of Auckland, about 25km from where she was last seen entering the central CityLife Hotel with a man on December 1.

It was the day before her 22nd birthday.

Appearing in Auckland District Court on Monday morning, the accused had a bid to keep his name secret rejected but an immediate appeal by his lawyer means he still cannot be publicly identified.

Judge Evangelos Thomas addressed members of Millane’s family, saying, “All of us hope that justice for Grace is fair, swift and ultimately brings you some peace.”

“I don’t know what we can say to you at this time – your grief must be desperate,” he said.

On Sunday, Ms Millane’s heartbroken brother Declan posted a tribute on Instagram to his sister.

English woman Grace Millane went missing about a week ago in New Zealand. She’s pictured (right) with her brother Declan. Source: Facebook/ Grace Millane and Instagram/ Declan Millane
English woman Grace Millane went missing about a week ago in New Zealand. She’s pictured (right) with her brother Declan. Source: Facebook/ Grace Millane and Instagram/ Declan Millane

He included a number of pictures of the pair including one of her at graduation and another of them as children.

Mr Millane captioned the pictures with the lyrics of You Are My Sunshine.

The post has more than 4600 likes with many offering their condolences.

“My heart is aching for you, your family and your beautiful sister,” one woman wrote.

“I have no words. NZ and the UK are with you.”

Declan and Grace Millane. Source: Instagram/ Declan Millane
Mr Millane posted a tribute to his sister including the lyrics to You Are My Sunshine. Source: Instagram/ Declan Millane

The University of Lincoln in the UK, where the 22-year-old studied, also tweeted about Ms Millane’s death offering its “thoughts and sincere sympathies” to the woman’s friends and family.

Ms Millane, from Essex, was on the second leg of a year-long world tour after graduating from university.

After visiting Peru, she arrived alone in New Zealand last month and had been in touch with family and friends nearly daily until her disappearance.

The pair may have met on a dating app

Grace Millane murder: New Zealand police find body in British backpacker search.
New Zealand police were combing an area of bush along Scenic Drive (pictured), a route along the city’s Waitakere Ranges regional park. Source: Google Maps Street View

Court documents say the accused is a resident at the CityLife Hotel on Queen Street and is charged with killing the tourist between December 1 and 2. No occupation was listed.

While officers have said Ms Millane and the accused had not previously known each other, they have declined to confirm reports they met through an online dating application.

Police were due to formally identify the body found and conduct a post-mortem examination on Monday but earlier said they believed it was Ms Millane.

Vigil planned

Auckland residents are planning a walk to honour Ms Millane and other victims of crime.

Event organiser Michelle Oakes scheduled the walk for midday on Saturday, December 15.

Ms Oakes hopes it might inspire more events as a tribute to the young woman.

“Please share far and wide and let’s walk in solidarity together for Grace, her family and friends, and for other victims of crime,” she wrote.

Candlelit vigils are also being planned for Wellington, Stuff.co.nz reported.

With AAP