People across the world stunned by the murder of schoolgirl Sarah Payne have sent messages to her grieving family. Here we print some of the many contributions received.

I send my deepest sympathy to you all. Be strong and brave. I will be thinking of you at this sad time. Becki Smart
Sara, Michael and family - You are constantly in our thoughts and prayers, we prayed that your Little Princess Sarah would be found safe and well but this was not to be. We now hope that whoever committed this terrible, terrible crime is caught as soon as possible and put away for life (meaning life). We hope you are able to stay strong. The Burgess family, West Midlands
I cannot begin to understand how Sarah's parents are feeling right now and in the near future. But as the mother of three children aged ten, eight and three years old, it has broken my heart that this has happened and I know that I speak for every parent in West Sussex and up and down the country who'd prayed for a happier outcome to this hideous crime. Please continue to be a solid, brave and united family in the coming weeks. You have been an inspiration to us all and you will continue to be in your search for justice for your Little Princess. God bless you all. L Gardner, Worthing
In the memory of a sweet angel who now rests in God's hands at peace . . . Sarah, love, may the road rise to meet you, may the wind be always at your back, may the sun shine warm upon your face, the rains fall soft upon your fields, and until you are with your family again may God hold you in the palm of his hand. With condolences from someone who shares deeply in your sorrow. A friend in the U.S.

As a mother of three children, I am shocked that there are people out there who would want to take and hurt an innocent child like Sarah. Her family have shown a great deal of strength over the last two and a half weeks and have touched the hearts of many people in Sussex and all around the country. I can't imagine how they must be feeling at this moment in their lives but I feel much sadness for them and much hatred for the people responsible. They must be found and punished as soon as possible. Mine, my children's and my husband's love go out to them all and we hope that through the bad times they have faced and are yet to face, they can show the strength they have already shown they have. Our love and condolences to you all. Natalie and Alan Whymark and children
We are a family from Sussex who now live in South Carolina and we followed the search for Sarah, praying that she would be found safe and well. We were devastated at the news of her death. We look at our own little daughter Amy and wonder what kind of person could do that to a child. May little Sarah rest in peace and God bless her soul. As for the murderer, God will need to help you when you are caught. And you will be caught. McCormack Family, South Carolina
As a former resident of Littlehampton now living in Honolulu I share the shock and outrage of Sarah's family. Little Sarah is now surely the daughter of all England. May God bless and keep her. Let's all join in the hope that the Sussex police can move quickly to put the case to rest. Love and Aloha, Jackie Collins, Honolulu
To the family of little Sarah; my thoughts and feelings go out to you. Being a single parent with a son Brendon, aged three, when I look at him I think how can anyone do this. I only hope they bring back hanging. Take care. Only time is the healer. All our love. Paul and Brendon, aged three
Starlight, starbright. A new star shining in the night, looking down with a smiling face and sleeping now in a better place. Forever in our hearts Sarah. God bless you. Steve, Debbie and little Georgia Knight, Portslade
To the family and friends of Sarah. Words can't describe how you must be feeling now. Cherish the time you had with your lovely little girl and take comfort in the fact that so many people are thinking about you at this time. Sarah won't ever be forgotten. Cath English
Dear Sarah, little Angel, now beyond pain and suffering. Fly like a bird to your home of boundless light. We carry you in our hearts. May endless blessings be upon you. Sue, Connie and Thea
I would just like to give a message to the Payne family. My family is thinking of you all at this very sad time. I give you all my love. Mrs E Bast, Worthing
Try and take strength from all the parents who are thinking of you now, as I am. No one can even imagine how you must be feeling. I just know there are people who care. I too have lost a child and know the heartache. Your family will be your strength through this time. With my love, Becky H.

Our hearts go out to you all after the dreadful tragedy that has befallen little Sarah. Your sorrow is ours too, that such a wickedness should visit an innocent child.Alan and Gillian Brooker, Larkhill, Hove
We have cried with you over these last few weeks. The worry and heartache you have had to bear are beyond any words we can say. We hope and pray the killer will be caught and made to pay for this horrible crime. We offer our deepest love and sympathy to you and your loved ones. May God bless and take to his heart your Little Princess. Mr and Mrs McGill and family, Sompting
We would like to offer you our deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences. We are so very sorry that you had to suffer such a tragic loss and our thoughts and prayers are with you each and every day.Love Alison and Bob Powell, Uckfield
We admire your bravery and dignity throughout your dreadful ordeal. Though words cannot convey how desperately sorry we are, our thoughts are with you all. Keep together and keep brave. The Marchant family, Southwick
We would like to express our love and thoughts to you all through your terrible ordeal. These last 18 days we have been following your Little Princess story and you all have become part of our family. We can never pledge to understand that we know how you feel but we would like to think that the people or person will be caught soon and justice will be done. Love to you all. Take care of each other. The Goldring family, Littlehampton
Sarah's parents and family have shown their courage beyond belief. Every caring parent is thinking "there but for the grace of God . . ." They must never, ever blame themselves. Carol Croll
Listening to the drone of the light aircraft engine circling the sky on this sunny afternoon it is difficult to believe the tragic happening of Saturday, July 1, 2000. I was born here in Littlehampton, a member of a family of 12 children, and as children we were able to roam free. We would pack a picnic and just disappear for the day either to the beach or the countryside. There was never any fear. It was very safe. Where Sarah was playing was thought to be safe and the thought that such evil people/persons would/could be in the vicinity would not, I am sure, have entered the thoughts of local residents. Our thoughts and prayers - and I know that I speak for all my family - are with Sara, Michael and their family at this time. We can see and feel their pain but how we could we possibly know how they are truly suffering? To lose a loved one is so very painful but to lose a child in such a terrible way - who knows? Cynthia Read
As this case has rightly caused so much upset and anger amongst the general public, is this not the time for the public to use this anger to attempt to bring about change within our legal system? We need to reclaim freedom for the majority and childhood for our youngsters. We must restrict the freedom of criminals with longer sentences. Prison may not make the criminals less criminal but would give protection for all the ordinary people just wanting to conduct their lives with less fear. I imagine that politicians and judges never feel intimidated as we ordinary folk do. They are well protected and have transport from A to B and, I expect, plenty of space for children to play safely within their own grounds. Pat Smith
We feel so much sorrow and outrage that a young life can be snuffed out in this way, particularly in our local community. We have a young family and think that we have some idea of how we would feel if it happened to us. We send our love and prayers to the Payne family both now and in the weeks and months to come as they come to terms with the loss of Sarah. Richard and Carolyn Fleming-Yates, Ben (two) and Rebecca (six), Westbourne Avenue, Worthing
I am a grown man and the grief of the Payne family has touched me deeply. It has brought me to tears, seeing their courage, resilience, and their tangible sorrow. My thoughts go to this family. Steve Richards
Having lost a son ourselves, we would like to send our love to all the family. I know we don't know you but we can feel a bit of what you are going through. Time is a great healer. All our love, Valerie Rogers
This morning, I sat at my computer at work and cried as I read the sad news of finding little Sarah's body. I may be the other side of the world, in New Zealand, but still saddened by the events of the last couple of weeks. My heart goes out to the whole family. Remember behind every tear there is a memory. Love Annie Roberts, New Zealand