Grace Millane: Trial over Essex backpacker's murder begins in New Zealand

The trial over Essex backbacker Grace Millane's murder begins today (4 November).

Miss Millane, 22, disappeared on 1 December and her body was found on the outskirts of Auckland a week later.

A man has denied murdering Essex backpacker Grace Millane in New Zealand. The defendant, who has entered a not guilty plea, cannot be named for legal reasons.

At the time of her death, Miss Millane was on a round-the-world backpacking trip and had just arrived in the country.

Watch Serena Sandhu's report on Grace Millane's funeral:

Miss Millane's family have described her as a “lovely, outgoing, fun-loving (and) family-orientated” woman.

They said: “Grace went off to travel the world in mid-October and arrived in New Zealand on the 20th November.

“By the amount of pictures and messages we received, she clearly loved this country, its people and the lifestyle.

“We all hope that what has happened to Grace will not deter even one person from venturing out into the world and discovering their own OE (overseas experience).”