Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Grace Millane murder: 27-year-old man denies killing British backpacker in New Zealand

Suspect due to face trial in November

Samuel Osborne
Wednesday 16 January 2019 06:52 EST
Ms Millane was last seen on 1 December
Ms Millane was last seen on 1 December (PA)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A 27-year-old man has denied murdering British backpacker Grace Millane in New Zealand.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded not guilty to her murder during an appearance at the High Court in Auckland on Wednesday.

He is due to face trial at the court on 4 November.

Millane, 22, from Wickford, Essex, arrived in New Zealand in November as part of a round-the-world backpacking trip.

She was reported missing on 5 December after her family grew concerned she had not responded to messages sent on her birthday, 2 December.

The last confirmed sighting of Ms Millane was at 9.41pm the night before at the Citylife Hotel in central Auckland.

Her body was found by detectives near a road in the Waitakere Ranges, a scenic area around 12 miles west of Auckland city centre, on 9 December.

Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

An order suppressing the name of the defendant is expected to be reviewed at the end of January.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in