New Zealand woman, 24, found dead off Thai beach
The parents of a young New Zealand woman found dead in the water at a Thailand beach are "shattered" and struggling to come to terms with the discovery.
On Wednesday, Renee Hodgkinson, 24, was found by a boat worker floating in the sea in Lo Dalum Bay near Phi Phi Island, off the coast of Phuket, and local police believe she drowned.
The Dunedin woman worked as a medic in the Medical Corp of the New Zealand Army and an NZDF spokesperson said "her loss will be widely felt," Stuff reported.
Local police said Ms Hodgkinson was with a tour group, but chose to stay at the island without them.
The young woman's family said they were shattered at losing their "beloved daughter".
"Our world was shattered when we were advised of the tragic death of our precious and beloved daughter," a statement read.
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"Since then, we have been supported by friends and family, but we are still coming to terms with this most devastating of news and it is fair to say that the healing process will be long and arduous."
Doctors ruled her death as a drowning and said her body had no signs of violence.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism said it was providing consular advice to her family.
