Body of Amelia Bambridge found at sea 30 miles from Cambodia

The 21-year-old's body was discovered in the Gulf of Thailand north west of Koh Rong, where she disappeared after attending a beach party last Wednesday, the police chief for Preah Sihanouk province said.

Amelia's brother Harry and sister Sharon have spoken about their heartbreak following the news.

"There's nothing more I wanted then to bring her back alive" wrote Harry Bambridge, who had flown to the island to find her, on his Facebook page.

"I really f***ing tried" he added.

"I’m sorry to you, Amelia. The round is on me when we meet again in heaven"

Sharon Schultes, who had been coordinating a fundraiser for the search effort from her family's home in Worthing, said: "It breaks my heart to let all my close family and friends know the horrendous outcome that we didn't want. 

"Now we have to get our Amelia back home to England so we can lay her beautiful soul to rest and to remember the wonderful life she lived."

The body of Amelia, who worked in Hove, was found near another island, Koh Chhlam, close to Cambodia's maritime border with Thailand.

Last night, hundreds donned gold ribbons and lit candles at a vigil for the former Bhasvic pupil.

In a powerful service at St Michael’s Church, candles were lit to “spread Amelia’s light” and hymns, which were chosen to “reflect what the family was going through”, were sung by those gathered.

Gold ribbons, the colour of the dress worn by Amelia in a picture which formed the centrepiece of the service, were handed out and donned by family and friends.

Amelia  was travelling alone for the first time and was last seen by other travellers she had befriended at a beach party at 3am last Wednesday.

She was due to check out of her youth hostel at noon on Friday to leave the island later in the afternoon with a friend.

But ten hours later, at 10pm local time, her mother Linda was told by the hostel’s manager that her daughter had “been declared officially missing”.

Authorities launched an intensive land, air and sea search on and around Koh Rong, joined by members of Amelia's family including Linda, brother Harry and her father, who flew in from Vietnam.

The family had speculated she could have become lost in the heavy jungle in the island's interior, but Cambodian officials had openly leaned towards the theory that she drowned in the sea, because her bag was found on a rock near the edge of the ocean.

A petition created by Amelia’s friend and signed by more than 2,000 people accused the British Government of providing “no support” in the search efforts to find her.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said it was providing in-person assistance to the family on the island, and maintaining close contact with the Cambodian authorities.

Deputy navy commander Tea Sokha said the authorities were tipped off about the body by fishermen who saw it.

He said it was then identified as Ms Bambridge's on the basis of its Western appearance and especially because of the clothing and tattoos, both of which matched photos of her taken on the night she disappeared.

The body is being taken to the mainland port of Sihanoukville for forensic experts to confirm the identification and to examine the cause of death, he said.

Peter Kyle, MP for Hove and Portslade, said: "I’m desperately sad to hear news that Amelia Bambridge lost her life in Cambodia. 

"Amelia worked in Hove and was a much loved part of our community. 

"Having spoken to her best friend I could tell what a fun loving, intelligent, and loyal person Amelia was.

"On behalf of our whole community I’ll be sending a message of support to her family as soon as possible."

Tim Loughton, MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, said: "Devastated to hear the terribly sad news about Amelia Bambridge this morning - the thoughts and prayers of everyone in Worthing are with her family and friends."