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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/dec/12/grace-millane-father-uncle-visits-site-in-new-zealand-where-body-found
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| 'She will forever be a Kiwi': Grace Millane's father praises New Zealand's compassion | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| David Millane has thanked New Zealanders for the love and compassion they have shown to his family during the search for his murdered daughter, and said Grace “will forever be a Kiwi.” | |
| Millane, who is taking his daughter’s body home in the coming days, praised the New Zealand police for a “concise, stringent and thorough investigation”, the local media for not intruding and being “respectful and courteous at all times” and locals who took his daughter into their hearts. | |
| “From that very first moment we have been astounded by the level of concern, sympathy and selfless help from every person we have met,” Millane said in a statement. | |
| “We would like to thank the people of New Zealand for their outpouring of love, numerous messages, tributes and compassion.” | |
| “Grace was not born here and 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.” | |
| “We all hope that what has happened to Grace will not deter even one person from venturing out into the world.” | |
| Millane disappeared from Auckland on 1 December and was found dead in the Waitakere Ranges area west of the city a week later. A 26-year-old man, whose identity is suppressed, has been charged with her murder and is being held on remand, scheduled to appear in the high court in January. | |
| On Wednesday, Millane’s father and uncle visited the bushland area near Auckland where the 22-year-old backpacker’s body was found. | |
| David Millane described the blessing as a “privilege” and said it was “a lovely and peaceful experience.” | |
| The traditional blessing was overseen by a kaumātua [Māori elder], and is part of the local grieving process to allow loved ones to begin making peace with Millane’s death. | The traditional blessing was overseen by a kaumātua [Māori elder], and is part of the local grieving process to allow loved ones to begin making peace with Millane’s death. |
| David Millane was photographed sharing a hongi [nose press] with a local uniformed police officer. | David Millane was photographed sharing a hongi [nose press] with a local uniformed police officer. |
| A post-mortem examination has now been completed on Millane’s body, and she has been formally identified. | A post-mortem examination has now been completed on Millane’s body, and she has been formally identified. |
| “Work continues to piece together exactly what happened to Grace, as we build a timeline of the circumstances,” Detective Inspector Scott Beard said on Wednesday. | “Work continues to piece together exactly what happened to Grace, as we build a timeline of the circumstances,” Detective Inspector Scott Beard said on Wednesday. |
| Millane’s family are now organising for her body to be returned to the UK to allow a funeral to be held in her home town of Wickford, Essex. | Millane’s family are now organising for her body to be returned to the UK to allow a funeral to be held in her home town of Wickford, Essex. |
| Candlelight vigils were planned for Millane in every New Zealand city on Wednesday, many organised by women’s refuges and anti-violence advocates. | Candlelight vigils were planned for Millane in every New Zealand city on Wednesday, many organised by women’s refuges and anti-violence advocates. |
| A vigil was held in Queenstown, in the South Island, on Tuesday night. About 100 locals gathered in the rain to light candles and sing songs. | A vigil was held in Queenstown, in the South Island, on Tuesday night. About 100 locals gathered in the rain to light candles and sing songs. |
| A family friend of Millane’s was visiting Queenstown, and lit candles on a pink birthday cake for her. Millane turned 22 the day after she went missing. | A family friend of Millane’s was visiting Queenstown, and lit candles on a pink birthday cake for her. Millane turned 22 the day after she went missing. |
| “She was an amazing, lovely, innocent little girl,” said Josh Lewis, a Millane family friend from the UK. | “She was an amazing, lovely, innocent little girl,” said Josh Lewis, a Millane family friend from the UK. |
| Millane’s murder has shaken New Zealanders, with grief experts saying many people are experiencing “vicarious trauma” about the murder in the usually safe country. | Millane’s murder has shaken New Zealanders, with grief experts saying many people are experiencing “vicarious trauma” about the murder in the usually safe country. |
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