Murdered backpacker's mum plans emotional tribute

The mother of a backpacker murdered in New Zealand plans to leave a poignant tribute to her daughter at Machu Picchu.

Grace Millane, from Wickford in Essex, was killed on the eve of her 22nd birthday in 2018.

Her mother, Gillian, said she would be following in Grace's footsteps by trekking to the Inca settlement in South America on 25 April.

"It's going to be emotional because I know that Grace was there, but I know I've got to do it," she said.

It would be the latest challenge by Millane, who previously conquered Mount Kilimanjaro and also reached Everest Base Camp.

She hopes to raise money for White Ribbon UK, which aims to end violence against women and girls.

"Grace loved to live and she loved to travel," Millane said.

"She went to Peru herself and her words to me were, 'Mum, that's something you'd like to do.' So, it was the next one on the list."

Grace was strangled by a man she met on a dating app in Auckland, and her killer was jailed for a minimum of 17 years in 2020.

Since her death, her mother has also received an honorary doctorate for her charity work to tackle violence against women and was made an OBE in 2024.

She planned to place small stones engraved with the names of Grace and her own late husband, David, upon arriving at Machu Picchu.

Millane said: "Violence against women and girls is something that's been brushed under the carpet for far too long.

"We've got a voice, and I need to speak about it. The more awareness we get out there, the better it is."

To support Millane, her friend Abi Painter also pledged to run the London Marathon in memory of Grace.

She described the keen explorer as "a kind, friendly and sweet person".

Painter added: "Being able to run in Grace's memory felt like a really meaningful way to honour her and keep her memory alive."

Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.