Murdered Donegal girl Danielle McLaughlin found dead in Goa during a trip
TRAGIC Donegal woman Danielle McLaughlin had traveled to Goa on ‘another adventure’.
Yesterday, the 28-year-old’s naked body was discovered murdered at Palolem Beach in Canacona near Goa with injuries to her head and face.
A man arrested for the senseless killing confessed to police that he raped Danielle and then murdered her in a desperate attempt to conceal his identity.
Police sources told the Times of India that a local farmer noticed the body while he was on his way to the fields, in a woodland spot – 300m from a road.
According to IANS the victim had arrived in the Palolem beach area on Sunday evening to participate in Holi celebrations before being found dead on Tuesday.
Danielle has been described as ‘a beautiful lady’ while one friend said she had ‘the most beautiful soul’.
A fund to assist in the repatriation and funeral expenses for Danielle has been set up and, in just over an hour, has raised over 50 per cent of its €10,000 target.
“There’s not really much anyone can say at the moment as I know we are all completely devastated,” said friend Christy Duffy, who set up the fund.
“This fund is to assist the repatriation and funeral expenses for our friend Danielle who was tragically taken from us all too soon this week.
“This fundraiser is to help her family with the added costs of having someone with her when she returns and to give her the send off she deserves.
“There is nothing I need to say about Danielle as anyone who knew her, knew that she was a beautiful and kind hearted, funny young lady who loved life and was a loyal and devoted friend, sister and daughter.
“They say the brightest stars burn the quickest and no other analogy could describe Danielle’s life better, on behalf of her family thanks in advance for the donations and keep on smiling as Danielle would have wanted.”
Danielle attended Scoil Mhuire in Buncrana before attending university in Liverpool.
Ms McLaughlin’s mother Andrea Brannigan, has paid tribute to her daughter saying she will be “sadly missed”.
In a written statement issued by a close friend on behalf of the family in Buncrana, Co Donegal, she said: “The family would like to express our thanks to all who have got in touch since receiving this awful news.
“As you can expect we are finding it very difficult at this trying time.
“We want to thank the Irish and British consulates, along with Colin from the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, and many friends who have assisted at this time.
“Danielle will be sadly missed by us all.”
Fr Francis Bradley, parish priest at St Mary’s Church in Buncrana met with Ms McLaughlin’s mother earlier and said the family are traumatised.
He described her as a “very caring person”, who had spent some time working with the poor in some of Mother Theresa’s institutions in India. The priest met the young woman when she was looking after her grandfather.
“They are traumatised firstly by her loss, it’s unnatural for any parent to prepare to bury their child, albeit a child of 28,” he said.
“The sense of loss is all the more because of the distance and how remote they feel from where all these tragic events have taken place and where an investigation is undergoing at this time.”
Fr Bradley added: “I don’t know that there’s a general feeling yet other than shock and sadness for the family involved and for the young lady herself.
“People are so respectful of the need of the family for privacy at this time and are just saying their prayers and trying their best in their own way to try to come to terms with more sad news.”
Buncrana born Danielle McLaughlin who was found murdered in Goa while on holiday
Superintended Sammy Tavares of the Goa Police said that they had arrested a suspect in connection with Danielle’s murder.
He is expected to appear in court in the coming days charged with Danielle’s senseless and tragic murder.
Tags: