Grace Millane: Heartbreaking photos, stories shared by friends, past teammates, school pals

The charitable campaign organised by Grace Millane's family following her tragic death has shared a selection of heartbreakingly beautiful new images of the young woman and stories from those who knew her.

In December 2018, Grace, a 21-year-old from Essex, England, was murdered in the Auckland Central CityLife hotel while in New Zealand as part of an overseas experience. In November last year, the man accused of killing her was convicted, and on Friday he was sentenced to a minimum of 17 years in prison

Since the young Brit's tragic death, her tight-knit family have set up Love, Grace - a charitable campaign that collects handbags, fills them with essential toiletries and donates them to Women's Refuge. 

Following the sentencing on Friday, Love, Grace has shared an assortment of photos and memories about Grace from friends and family. They have been uploaded on social media in a collection called "Grace's Memory Box".

As her family stated in their media statements before, during, and after the November trial, Grace was a friendly, loyal, and reliable young woman - something evident from the photos and stories. In many, the marketing graduate can be seen dressed up, smiling with her mates, and at various social and sporting events.

One of the images shows Grace amongst her classmates at a very young age. In another, she is laughing, having just jokingly pushed a friend into a pool. Some show her with her family - father David, mother Gillian, and her older brothers Michael and Declan alongside her.

With the photos are comments from those who were close to her, as well as those from her past who continued to feel her impact.

"She really was the happiest person. She had such an infectious smile. Grace really is the brightest star," said one.

"So many happy and crazy memories with Grace," added another.

One friend said she and Grace were on the same hockey team together and flatted in buildings opposite to each other. Another of Grace's hockey teammates said she "had all the patience in the world for me".

"She would tell me I'm doing a good job (even if I probably wasn't) and never let me feel disheartened by my inaccuracy or failed attempts.

"She was a huge support in every hockey session and the reason I didn't give up on it. I remember thinking about just how kind she was to me - you never forget kindness like hers."

One woman who went to school with Grace said that after she left the school, Grace and another friend gave her a bracelet which she still wears to do this day.

"I still think of Grace very often and it's always with a smile on my face. She was such a special and lovely girl and had such an impact on so many people's lives, including mine. I'll treasure the memories I have of her and will keep them in my heart forever."

Hundreds of handbags have been dropped off at New Zealand House in London, while there are multiple drop-off points in New Zealand for those wanting to donate.

During sentencing on Friday, Gillian Millane said the pain of losing Grace had been agonising

"I am absolutely heartbroken that you have taken my daughter's future and robbed her of so many more memories that we were going to create.

"She was truly beautiful with a smile that would light up any room. Confident, kind, intelligent, with a desire to travel, to meet new people and to see the world."

Grace's brother Declan said his sister was a "beautiful soul" with a "smile that could light up the room".

"The following weeks were the hardest and worst weeks of my life. I remember taking the phone call from my dad saying Grace's body had been found and I was instantly sick."

"I felt a duty to protect my little sister but there was nothing I could do, I was helpless and lost."

Father David, who ventured to New Zealand in December 2018 during the then-missing persons investigation, has become unwell since the November trial and didn't speak publicly on Friday. Gillian blames the grief for David becoming unwell.

However, at the trial he called Grace a "gregarious" young woman, who would be missed forever.