Tributes flow in for ‘always smiling’ Grace
There are no shortage of tributes for Grace Millane — the murdered British backpacker who clearly loved life and was always smiling in photographs.
The 22-year-old embarked on a year-long OE last month and had been in New Zealand for less than a week when she shared her first image on Instagram, a picture of herself with two friends at the Lighthouse in Cape Reinga.
The trio were clearly enjoying their day despite it being overcast.
Yesterday, as her body was found in the Waitakere Ranges, that holiday snap became a place for those who knew her — and many who didn’t — to post messages of condolence.
“Beautiful Grace you had big dreams — loved by many who knew you very well and many who didn’t know you well but are all heartbroken too — we wanted the same outcome for you and your lovingly family.”
Other posts on social media describe Millane as an incredible person who was always happy — and always making others happy too.
“Such a beautiful person inside and out. Only known you a small amount of time but you never failed to put a smile on my face and make me laugh,” said one friend.
New Zealanders have responded to the murder with shock.
Many have expressed feelings of shame that something so awful has happened to a young woman who had only just begun her dream trip.
“Our whole country is devastated over this, Grace you beautiful girl, on behalf of all of NZ we are so sorry you were taken.”
Millane’s family raised the alarm after not hearing from her last Sunday — her 22nd birthday.
Her father David, a millionaire property developer, flew to New Zealand early on Friday to plead for information about his daughter’s whereabouts.
Fighting back tears, he spoke to media about the “lovely, outgoing, fun-loving, family-orientated daughter” who had been so looking forward to going to New Zealand and had “bombarded us with numerous photographs and messages of her adventures” since arriving.
Yesterday her brother Declan thanked New Zealanders for their thoughts and prayers.
— Staff reporter