Ashes Of Stabbed Backpacker To Be Spread Over World

The mother of stab victim Mia Ayliffe-Chung has told of her plans for her daughter's cremation, as she prepares to head for Australia.

Miss Ayliffe-Chung, 21, from Wirksworth, Derbyshire, was stabbed to death at a backpackers' hostel in Queensland on Tuesday.

French national Smail Ayad has been charged with one count of murder, two counts of attempted murder, one count of serious animal cruelty and 12 counts of serious assault.

Reports that Ayad, 29, had an unrequited romantic interest or was "obsessed" with Miss Ayliffe-Chung are being investigated by police.

Her mother Rosie Ayliffe revealed her daughter's ashes will be scattered around the world so she can continue her travels.

In a blog for The Independent, Ms Ayliffe wrote: "I know some of her friends are struggling with that (the decision to cremate her sooner rather than later), because they wanted her body brought home and a cremation or burial here in the Wirksworth area, but she has friends all over the place.

"Hence the plan to create a place of remembrance here, but also to give various people vials of Mia's ashes to scatter in places dear to her or to them. That way she can visit places she hasn't visited yet. Canada, New Zealand, Singapore."

She added: "I've been told by the family liaison police that I'm at the beginning of a journey and that I'll experience many emotions. For the past few days the emotions have been at bay, to the extent that I was starting to question yesterday whether I was grieving at all.

"At the moment the only way I can really cope with our loss is to think Mia's time had come and what happened in that hostel on Tuesday was her fate. It was always going to happen like that."

: : Father Of Oz Backpacker Stabbings Victim Tom Jackson 'Proud'

Her comments come after the family of a Briton injured in the stabbing have said they are "immensely proud" of him after he tried to save Miss Ayliffe-Chung.

Tom Jackson, 30, received critical injuries when he tried to help his compatriot. He has been receiving treatment at a hospital in Queensland.