Father's sad pilgrimage to pray for his Karen

Published on Sunday 20 January 2008 21:01

PRAYER vigils for murdered Scottish backpacker Karen Aim have taken place on opposite sides of the globe as police in New Zealand continue the hunt for her killer.

In her Orkney home yesterday, Miss Aim's father Brian joined 100 worshippers at the kirk in Holm to pray for a speedy investigation and the return of his daughter's body to Scotland.

In Taupo, New Zealand, 100 friends and townspeople gathered at the place where the 26-year-old was found, in what police have descibed as a "ghastly" murder.

Officers now suspect Miss Aim may have seen those responsible for smashed windows at Taupo Nui-A-Tia College in the early hours of Thursday, and that they might have panicked and attacked her, leaving her with massive head injuries.

Miss Aim's brother Alan, 23, said: "Our hopes and prayers are with the New Zealand police and their investigation. Hopefully, the culprit has a conscience and he or she will do the right thing after the mistake they've made."

Speaking in Holm yesterday, Miss Aim's father, Brian, 51, said: "We were happy she was in New Zealand. I believe she was mugged for her bag. Just like me, she would never have given it up. She fought for her bag and it cost her her life."

Her mother Peggy, 51, and her 23-year-old brother Alan did not attend the church service.

The Reverend Miriam Gross, of East Mainland Parish on Orkney, told worshippers: "It strikes us hard that she has been taken from us. We are all shocked by the death of Karen and what happened to this cheery, positive young woman. It feels like being frozen in the middle of whatever we might have been doing. Time stands still here and nothing will be the same again."

She added after the service: "It was a very difficult service for everybody. I hope people will feel comforted by the service."

In New Zealand, an unlit candle signifying a life suddenly snuffed out was placed on the pavement where Miss Aim was found, amid bouquets of flowers. A Presbyterian minister also sprinkled holy water at the site.

Collette Martin, who shared a Taupo flat with Miss Aim, told reporters: "She was such a gorgeous person, inside and out. We are remembering her smile, which was always on her face."

Messages of condolence from around the world continue to be posted hourly on Miss Aim's Bebo website, particularly from people who met her during her time in New Zealand.

Miss Aim's father, who works as a joiner in Holm, said: "It's felt as though we're watching a bad film on the television and could we not change channels? But we're stuck on this channel for the rest of our lives.

"We just wish that we could change over, instead of this absolute nightmare that we're going through.

"We don't believe it's happened yet."

Miss Aim was educated at Holm Primary School and Kirkwall Grammar School before going on to study and graduate in printed textiles from Dundee University.

She originally travelled to New Zealand after leaving employment with Marks & Spencer in Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

After three months, she returned to work in a Kirkwall draper's shop and spent another six months at a hotel in the community, saving up for a second trip to New Zealand. She travelled there in October and had a one-year work permit.

She was out socialising with about 20 friends the night she died.

A further memorial service is planned in New Zealand within days and it is hoped one will be held in Orkney at the same time.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office confirmed they were providing assistance to the Aim family, but could not comment when her body might be returned to the UK.

POLICE FOCUS NARROWS TO COLLEGE VANDALS

A TEAM of 50 New Zealand police officers and detectives are working to trace the final steps of Karen Aim.

CCTV footage captured Miss Aim at a garage 30 minutes before she was found just 50 metres from her rented flat, around 2.30am on Thursday.

She was found semi-conscious in the street but died later at hospital from serious head injuries.

The murder investigation is currently focusing on a group who vandalised a nearby college in the resort community.

Images from CCTV show Miss Aim at 2.04am. Just three minutes later, an alarm went off at Taupo Nui-A-Tia College, sending police to investigate. Miss Aim would not have reached the school when the alarm sounded, but detectives believe she saw the culprits, who may have panicked and attacked her.

Police are convinced her killer or killers were responsible for a "frenzied" window-smashing spree at the school and believe the same instrument was used to inflict Miss Aim's severe head injuries.

Sergeant Greg Turner said: "I'm fast beginning to believe the person responsible for this damage is responsible for an equally violent attack on Karen."

Detectives have now completed their scene examination at the college and said they were coming to the end of the phase of canvassing bars and residents in the area.

POLICE FOCUS NARROWS TO COLLEGE VANDALS

A TEAM of 50 New Zealand police officers and detectives are working to trace the final steps of Karen Aim.

CCTV footage captured Miss Aim at a garage 30 minutes before she was found just 50 metres from her rented flat, around 2.30am on Thursday.

She was found semi-conscious in the street but died later at hospital from serious head injuries.

The murder investigation is currently focusing on a group who vandalised a nearby college in the resort community.

Images from CCTV show Miss Aim at 2.04am. Just three minutes later, an alarm went off at Taupo Nui-A-Tia College, sending police to investigate. Miss Aim would not have reached the school when the alarm sounded, but detectives believe she saw the culprits, who may have panicked and attacked her.

Police are convinced her killer or killers were responsible for a "frenzied" window-smashing spree at the school and believe the same instrument was used to inflict Miss Aim's severe head injuries.

Sergeant Greg Turner said: "I'm fast beginning to believe the person responsible for this damage is responsible for an equally violent attack on Karen."

Detectives have now completed their scene examination at the college and said they were coming to the end of the phase of canvassing bars and residents in the area.