Grace Millane's father David Millane has died after battling cancer.
David was diagnosed after the trial of his daughter's killer in 2019. He had since been told his cancer had spread and was not treatable. He died earlier this week in his hometown in the UK.
The death is a second tragedy for the family after Grace was killed in Auckland nearly two years ago, in December 2018. The 22-year-old UK backpacker's body was found in the Waitākere Ranges, a week after she was last seen at a central Auckland hotel.
A man, who has name suppression, was arrested and found guilty of murdering Grace in November 2019.
After the murder trial, David and Gillian Millane were in tears as they paid tribute to their daughter.
"Grace was a beautiful, loving, talented daughter," David told reporters outside court. "Grace was our sunshine and she will be missed forever.
"She did not deserve to be murdered in such a barbaric way."
David said their daughter was taken away from them in the most "brutal fashion".
"This will be with us for the rest of our lives.
"The verdict of murder - will be welcomed by every member of the Millane family.
"It will not reduce the pain and the suffering we have had to endure over the past year."
Grace's killer was sentenced in February to life in prison with a minimum non-parole period of 17 years. However, he is appealing the conviction.
Det Insp Scott Beard, who led the investigation into Grace's death and worked closely with the family, said on Thursday the police extended its deepest sympathies to the Millane family.
"The Millane family had their lives turned upside down when David’s much loved and cherished daughter Grace was murdered while visiting New Zealand in December 2018," Beard said.
"Police worked closely with the Millane family as part of the investigation into Grace's murder and provided victim support throughout the subsequent trial. Our thoughts and sympathies are with Gillian, Michael, Declan, and the rest of their whānau.
"The family has asked that media respect their privacy at this difficult time."
Beard had been praised for the work on the investigation by David, who said he had been "the most measured selfless, human and professional face of Auckland police".
Beard also revealed he had cancer during the trial of Grace's killer, and he told his specialist at the time that no matter what he had to be up and about by November 4 - the first day of the trial.
Grace's mother Gillian also has battled breast cancer. She couldn't make the trip to New Zealand after her daughter went missing in December 2018 because she was undergoing treatment.
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