‘Unbearable time’ for family of tragic Grace

THE brother of British backpacker Grace Millane yesterday released a heartbreaking tribute to his sister hours after police found her body.

Detectives confirmed her body had been dumped in bushes near a countryside road on the outskirts of New Zealand’s largest city Auckland.

A 26-year-old man will appear in court today charged with Grace’s murder.

Detective Inspector Scott Beard said it was an “unbearable time” for the former University of Lincoln student’s family.

Grace’s brother Declan wrote out the lyrics to the song You Are My Sunshine in an emotional tribute to his sister on social media.

He wrote: “You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are grey.

“You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you. Please don’t take my sunshine away.”

Grace’s mother, Gillian, posted a picture of them both together on social media.

Her father, David, had flown out to the country on Thursday.

The 22-year-old’s family were “devastated” after being told the police enquiry was a murder investigation.

Forensic officers put up two large tents near where they found Grace’s body yesterday as they searched for clues. They also urged anyone who had seen a red rental car to come forward.

Detectives found the vehicle 186 miles away in Taupo, to the south of Auckland, and believe the alleged killer used it to move the 22-year-old’s body.

The red Toyota Corolla hatchback was hired from a rental firm in Auckland last Sunday, the day after Ms Millane was last seen alive, police said.