Amelia’s parents pay tribute
THE PARENTS of a Loughborough girl who has died in a suspected ‘murder-suicide’ whilst backpacking in Australia have said that they are “deeply shocked and saddened” by the news.
Amelia Blake, 22, was found in her Newtown flat in Sydney, Australia on Friday, January 12.
Tributes have been paid to Amelia who had previously been a stduent at Loughborough College, and had worked at the Vision Express store in Carillon Court.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office released a statement on behalf of Amelia’s family, and they said: “We are deeply shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of our much loved daughter and sister Amelia, who will be truly missed by all who knew her.
“We would like to thank everyone for the love and support shown to our family.
“As we try to come to terms with losing our beautiful girl, we would very much appreciate privacy at this extremely difficult time.”
Amelia, who had been in Australia for eight months at the time of her death, studied A-levels in psychology and sociology from 2012 to 2013 at Loughborough College.
A spokesperson for the college said: “Amelia was a well-loved student - a lovely, personable girl who was very sociable with lots of friends.
“Our sympathies are with Amelia’s family and friends at this difficult time.”
According to the police in Australia, emergency services were called to the Newtown flat at about 5.30pm on Friday (January 12) following concerns for the welfare of a man and woman.
Police attended and discovered the bodies of a woman, aged in her 20s, and a man, aged in his 30s. A special police unit, working with homicide detectives, will be investigating the incident.
A police spokesperson said that “Strike Force Tenisonwood has been established, consisting of officers attached to Newtown local area command, with the assistance of state crime command’s homicide squad, to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“Detectives are seeking anyone with information that hasn’t spoken with police to come forward. “Inquiries are continuing.” Jay Ghadiali, Vision Express professional services director and Loughborough store director said: “We are shocked and saddened at the tragic news of Amelia’s death and our thoughts are with her family at this very sad time.
“Amelia was an asset to our team and will be remembered with great fondness by everyone who worked with her.”
A spokesperson from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office told the Echo: “We are providing support to the family of a British national who has died in New South Wales, Australia, and our staff are in contact with the New South Wales police.”