Father prepares to take Grace home
British backpacker Grace Millane will ‘‘forever be a Kiwi’’, her father says, as he thanks New Zealand for ‘‘taking her into your hearts’’ following her death.
David Millane released a statement yesterday evening, thanking the New Zealand public and police for their support.
Grace Millane, 22, from Essex, in the United Kingdom, vanished at the start of the month from Auckland, sparking a huge police investigation which culminated in her body being discovered in the Waitakere Ranges.
A 26-year-old man appeared in court on Monday charged with her murder.
In his statement, David Millane, who travelled to New Zealand to help with the search efforts for his daughter, said his family’s world had been ‘‘turned upside down’’ .
‘‘Grace went off to travel the world in mid-October and arrived in New Zealand on the 20th November,’’ he said.
‘‘By the amount of pictures and messages we received she clearly loved this country, its people and the lifestyle. After the disappearance of Grace on 1st December 2018 our whole world turned upside down.’’
The moment he arrived in New Zealand last week David Millane had been ‘‘astounded by the level of concern, sympathy and selfless help’’ from the people he and his brother had met.
He made special mention to the police who had mounted the search effort his daughter.
‘‘Auckland police have carried out the most concise, stringent and thorough investigation.’’ Millane said the team, consisting at times of over 24 officers, had worked arduous, long hours without a day off, little sleep or rest.
In particular, he thanked Detective Inspector Scott Beard who has led the investigation into his daughter’s death.
‘‘Gill, Michael, Declan and myself would sincerely like to thank everybody involved and express our most profound gratitude,’’ he said.
‘‘In this difficult situation where everybody is a true hero it is sometimes difficult to single out certain people.
‘‘Despite this we would like to offer our most sincere thanks and everlasting gratitude to Detective Inspector Scott Beard, who has been a most measured, selfless, human and professional face of Auckland police.
‘‘His emotional media statements have made him many fans both in New Zealand and at home in the UK.
‘‘Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Brand, the hidden driving force of the investigation and a true police professional.’’
Ending his statement, Millane said his daughter would always be a Kiwi.
‘‘We all hope that what has happened to Grace will not deter even one person from venturing out into the world and discovering their own OE.
‘‘Martin and I had the privilege of attending the traditional Maori blessing of the site which was a lovely and peaceful experience. Finally we would like to thank the people of New Zealand for their outpouring of love, numerous messages, tributes and compassion. Grace ... only managed to stay a few weeks, but you have taken her to your hearts and in some small way she will forever be a Kiwi,’’ he said.
Millane will be taking his daughter home this weekend.