Amelia Blake’s parents distraught after daughter killed

The heartbroken parents of a British backpacker found dead in an horrific murder-suicide in Australia have paid tribute to her as ‘a beautiful girl’ who will be ‘truly missed.’

Tragic Amelia Blake, 22, died whilst fulfilling her dream of travelling the world before settling down to a career.

Her devastated parents builder Chris and secretary Sharon and younger sister Lola, 20, are being comforted by relatives at the family home in Loughborough, Leicestershire. 

In a statement released today by the Foreign Office, 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.’

They released a favourite recent photo of Amelia cuddling a koala bear.

The heartbroken parents of Amelia Blake, found dead in an horrific murder-suicide in Australia, have paid tribute to her as ‘a beautiful girl’ who will be ‘truly missed’

This is the Nepalese killer who slayed British backpacker Amelia Blake in a horror murder-suicide at a Sydney apartment on Friday

This is the Nepalese killer who slayed British backpacker Amelia Blake in a horror murder-suicide at a Sydney apartment on Friday

Former colleagues told Daily Mail Australia Amelia Blake was 'the nicest person you'd ever meet' after she was found dead last week

Former colleagues told Daily Mail Australia Amelia Blake was ‘the nicest person you’d ever meet’ after she was found dead last week

The bodies were found by the couple's landlord above this Persian restaurant in the inner-west suburb 

The bodies were found by the couple’s landlord above this Persian restaurant in the inner-west suburb 

The apartment that was the scene of the suspected murder-suicide is pictured on Thursday from a back alley

The apartment that was the scene of the suspected murder-suicide is pictured on Thursday from a back alley

It is not known when they are planning to fly to Sydney to visit the crime scene and repatriate her body.

Amelia, thought to be an ex graduate, had split up with her boyfriend in the UK to go travelling to Oz eight months ago, her neighbour revealed.

She’d recently met a new Nepalese partner in Sydney who had become infatuated with her, apparently stalked her and demanded money from her. Work pals described him as a ‘weirdo.’

Amelia was found dead last Friday in her 33-year-old boyfriend Brazil Gurung’s Sydney apartment. Her body was heavily wounded and she had suffered appalling head injuries.

Police believe he killed Amelia before taking his own life. A landlord discovered their bodies in a flat above a Persian restaurant

They had met at popular eaterie Fogo Brazilia Churrasco where she was working as waitress to help pay for her travels and he had a job as a chef. 

Brazil Gurung has been described by his former work colleagues as 'weird' and said he had significant 'money troubles'

Brazil Gurung has been described by his former work colleagues as 'weird' and said he had significant 'money troubles'

Brazil Gurung has been described by his former work colleagues as ‘weird’ and said he had significant ‘money troubles’

Fogo Brazilian Churrasco (pictured) the restaurant where Ms Blake and Gurung met and worked

Fogo Brazilian Churrasco (pictured) the restaurant where Ms Blake and Gurung met and worked

Ms Blake's best friend Rhys James Collington has spoken of his tragic loss. 'She was a beautiful, kind woman with a big heart full of kindness,' he said. The pair are pictured together

Ms Blake’s best friend Rhys James Collington has spoken of his tragic loss. ‘She was a beautiful, kind woman with a big heart full of kindness,’ he said. The pair are pictured together

Mr Collington said Ms Blake (pictured together left and right) died while ‘living the dream travelling round Australia’

Mr Collington posted this heartfelt tribute to his friend following the news of her tragic death

Mr Collington posted this heartfelt tribute to his friend following the news of her tragic death

Local reports suggest Amelia – who had previously worked at a farm in Colignan, Victoria – was planning on leaving the country in the coming weeks to visit another overseas destination.

Amelia had been ‘desperate to go off travelling and see the world,’ neighbour Jemma Bagley said.

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline she said: ‘She used to have a boyfriend here but they split up when she went off travelling last spring. 

‘She had wanderlust and wanted to get it out of her system before settling down or getting struck into a career.

‘She was a lovely, bright girl and this is such a terrible shock. I’ve seen lots of people visiting her parents house with flowers over the past few days and just assumed someone may be ill in hospital. 

‘I can’t believe this terrible news and haven’t told my two daughters yet.’ 

Amelia’s father works for William Davis, one of the Midlands’ leading house developers, while her mother is and secretary for a reputable scientific, research and development company.

They have lived in the same comfortable semi-detached house for at least 20 years.  

Gemma added: ‘My husband and Chris talk motorbikes all the time and they chat walking the dogs. 

‘They have a little rescue dog, a terrier. They’re a lovely family and this will be devastating for them.’ 

Amelia is understood to have gone to local Catholic schools the Sacred Heart and De Lisle before going onto University. 

Another neighbour told how Amelia had been working locally to help fund her trip.

He said: ‘This is the most awful tragedy. I’ve known the family for a long time and losing Amelia, who was a very pleasant and delightful young lady, will be very difficult to cope with. 

Ms Blake (front) was found dead in her tiny Newtown flat in Sydney's inner-west on Friday, alongside the body of her older Nepalese boyfriend

Ms Blake (front) was found dead in her tiny Newtown flat in Sydney’s inner-west on Friday, alongside the body of her older Nepalese boyfriend

Mansell Farms owner Robert Mansell said he and Ms Blake's former colleagues were 'in shock' 

Mansell Farms owner Robert Mansell said he and Ms Blake’s former colleagues were ‘in shock’ 

Another friend, Ellie Mackness, remembered Ms Blake for her infectious smile and down-to-earth attitude

Another friend, Ellie Mackness, remembered Ms Blake for her infectious smile and down-to-earth attitude

 ‘Her parents haven’t travelled to Australia. They’re at home trying to come to terms with their grief.

‘They’ve told close friends and neighbours what had happened. It is truly devastating and our hearts go out to them.’

Tributes have since flooded in for the young Brit with one friend writing: ‘In the short space of time that I knew Amelia, we hit it off straight away, became so close and great friends. I don’t think I’ll ever believe it and am in complete shock.’

Another close pal Rhys James Collington, said Ms Blake died while ‘living the dream travelling round Australia.’ 

He added: ‘She was a beautiful, kind woman with a big heart full of kindness.’

Lee Cartwright said he and Ms Blake (pictured together) 'hit it off immediately' after meeting a short time ago

Lee Cartwright said he and Ms Blake (pictured together) ‘hit it off immediately’ after meeting a short time ago

'I don't think I'll ever believe it and am in complete shock. You will be so missed and in my thoughts forever,' Mr Cartwright wrote in an online tribute

‘I don’t think I’ll ever believe it and am in complete shock. You will be so missed and in my thoughts forever,’ Mr Cartwright wrote in an online tribute

Ms Blake (pictured in a social media post) had been in Australia for eight months before she was found dead on Friday

Ms Blake (pictured in a social media post) had been in Australia for eight months before she was found dead on Friday

This image shows a view inside the apartment were the couple had been staying

This image shows a view inside the apartment were the couple had been staying

Ms Blake (second from left) spent most of her time in Australia working on a farm at Colignan, near Mildura in Victoria's northwest

Ms Blake (second from left) spent most of her time in Australia working on a farm at Colignan, near Mildura in Victoria’s northwest

In Sydney, a neighbour told Daily Mail Australia he heard a ‘piercing scream’ at about 5pm on Friday afternoon.

‘I was sitting inside with my dogs and I heard this horrific piercing scream from over the lane,’ the man said.

‘I rushed outside but that was it and I didn’t think too much of it because there’s a lot of yelling and yahooing that goes on around here.

The bodies of Ms Blake and her boyfriend were discovered by their landlord who visited the small flat to collect his mail on Friday night.

The English backer is believed to have lived at the apartment (pictured) for three months

The English backer is believed to have lived at the apartment (pictured) for three months

The bodies of Ms Blake and her Nepalese boyfriend were found above this Persian restaurant 

The bodies of Ms Blake and her Nepalese boyfriend were found above this Persian restaurant 

'I see my path, but I don't know where it leads. Not knowing where I'm going is what inspires me to travel it,' Ms Blake wrote on her Instagram page 

‘I see my path, but I don’t know where it leads. Not knowing where I’m going is what inspires me to travel it,’ Ms Blake wrote on her Instagram page 

The British woman’s body was reportedly riddled with injuries, including wounds to her head, The Daily Telegraph in Australia reported.  

NSW Police Inspector Chad Deegenaars said the tragedy was being treated as a murder-suicide, but post-mortem results would confirm the causes of death. 

Ms Blake is believed to have been in Australia for eight months before she was found dead. 

She spent most of her time in Australia working on a farm at Colignan, near Mildura in Victoria’s north-west.  

Mansell Farms owner Robert Mansell said he and Ms Blake’s former colleagues were ‘in shock’.

‘I’m getting messages from people who worked with her saying ”tell me it’s not true”,’ he told The Sydney Morning Herald.

‘She was just an absolutely lovely girl; a good worker, she had the smarts, she was organised, happy. Just a lovely girl.’ 

The scene of the suspected murder-suicide in the Sydney suburb of Newtown is pictured

A neighbour said the pair moved into the Newtown flat (pictured) about three months ago

A neighbour said the pair moved into the Newtown flat (pictured) about three months ago

Ms Blake spent most of her time in Australia working on a farm at Colignan, near Mildura in Victoria's northwest (pictured on the map) 

Ms Blake spent most of her time in Australia working on a farm at Colignan, near Mildura in Victoria’s northwest (pictured on the map) 

On her Instagram page, Ms Blake spoke fondly about her desire to travel. 

‘I see my path, but I don’t know where it leads. Not knowing where I’m going is what inspires me to travel it,’ she said.   

Detectives have established Strike Force Tenisonwood to investigate the deaths.

They said the crime scene would be maintained until results from the post-mortem came back.

Neighbour Scott Haggarty said his heart stopped when the police told him his neighbours had been found dead. 

He said the couple ‘looked happy’ when he saw them arrive home on Wednesday afternoon.

‘They kept to themselves. They just looked like a regular couple, I never heard an argument or anything,’ he told The Daily Telegraph. 

A neighbour said the couple 'looked happy' when they arrived at their flat (pictured) a few days before they were found dead

A neighbour said the couple ‘looked happy’ when they arrived at their flat (pictured) a few days before they were found dead

Ms Blake's body was discovered in the Newtown flat (pictured) she shared with her boyfriend 

Ms Blake’s body was discovered in the Newtown flat (pictured) she shared with her boyfriend 

The couple shared the apartment (pictured) above a Persian restaurant on King Street

The couple shared the apartment (pictured) above a Persian restaurant on King Street

‘They looked like a couple who worked in the bars and were on holidays here.’

Mr Haggarty said the pair moved into the flat about three months ago. 

Another neighbour of the young couple, Jason You, said he heard a loud ‘boom’ about 5pm on Friday – shortly before the bodies were discovered.



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