Father of murdered backpacker Grace Millane dies of cancer

The father of murdered backpacker Grace Millane has died of cancer just months after the trial of his daughter's killer. 

David Millane was diagnosed with the disease shortly after the trial in Auckland in February.

It is understood he was recently told the cancer was terminal and died earlier this week at his home in Wickford in Essex.

The family issued a picture of them all together on the LoveGrace Facebook page.

They said they were heartbroken by the loss of David.

His wife Gillian and sons Declan and Michael are mourning a fresh loss just two years after his daughter Grace died in a hotel in Auckland. 

Grace's father sobbed outside court after his daughter's killer was sentenced.

Detective Inspector Scott Beard released a statement expressing sympathy for the family. 

'The Millane family had their lives turned upside down when David’s much loved and cherished daughter Grace was murdered while visiting New Zealand in December 2018,' he said.

'NZ Police worked closely with the Millane family as part of the investigation into Grace’s murder and provided victim support throughout the subsequent trial. 

'Our thoughts and sympathies are with Gillian, Michael, Declan and the rest of their whanau (family).'