Murdered York Backpacker Remembered

11 April 2012, 09:22 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

Hundreds gathered at a special service to remember murdered backpacker Caroline stuttle at York Minster.

The 19-year-old student, who was from York, was robbed and pushed off a 30ft bridge in Bundaberg, Australia, while on a gap year in April 2002.

Marjorie Marks-Stuttle, the teenager's mother, described her daughter as “very special” and said she believed it was important to remember her on the 10th anniversary of her death.

She said the service was a chance for people to get together and light a candle in Miss Stuttle's memory and in memory of others.

Mrs Marks-Stuttle, who runs a charity in her daughter's name dedicated to raising awareness of safe travel for young people,  said “Well, after such a tragic loss of life, as a family we were absolutely devastated.

“And naturally we miss her every day and miss all the things she would be doing.

“It's a decade on - and for those that maybe don't remember Caroline, it's important to know what we're doing in her memory, which is the charity, Caroline's Rainbow Foundation.”

Richard Stuttle, the student's brother, added that Caroline would have approved of the charity due to her love of travel and different cultures.

The gap-year student was killed during a bag snatch by drug addict Ian Previte, who was found guilty of her murder in October 2004 and is serving a life sentence.

32 year old Previte, was also given 10 years for robbery.