INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Image copyrightLucie Blackman TrustImage caption
The 22-year-old graduated from university in September and went
travelling shortly afterwards
New Zealand Police have announced they believe missing British backpacker Grace Millane has
been murdered.The 22-year-old from Essex - described by her father as "lovely" and "family-orientated" - was last seen in New Zealand a week
ago.Det Insp Scott Beard said the evidence told them she was "no longer alive".A 26-year-old man - who was with Miss Millane before she went
missing - is being held in Auckland in connection with the murder."Grace's family have been advised of this development and they are
devastated," Det Insp Beard added.The announcement follows a review of CCTV footage, the forensic examination of a hotel where she was last
seen on Saturday 1 December, and the discovery of a vehicle.Police confirmed the man being held was with Miss Millane on the Saturday
evening and "went to a number of places before going to the CityLife Hotel", where she was last seen.Miss Millane's body has not been
found, but Det Insp Beard said police were "determined to do everything we can to find her".He added the "thoughts of all New Zealanders
will be with Grace's family tonight".Image:Det Insp Scott Beard said they believed Miss Millane was "no longer aliveMiss Millane, who
graduated from the University of Lincoln in September, had been travelling alone in New Zealand for two weeks, following a six-week group
trip through South America.She had booked to stay at the Base Backpackers hostel in central Auckland until 8 December.Speaking at a news
conference in Auckland on Friday, Grace's father, David Millane, said his daughter had been "bombarding us with numerous photographs and
messages of her adventures" before she went missing.A number of Miss Millane's belongings - including her passport, a silver necklace and
pink watch - are missing, and police say they hope their discovery could help them locate her body.Image copyrightPAImage caption
Police released CCTV images of the backpacker at Auckland's Sky City entertainment complex before she disappeared
Image copyrightAuckland City Police/PAImage caption
Miss Millane's family are "devastated", police say
