Amelia Bambridge: Body of Cambodia backpacker found at sea

Amelia Bambridge was last seen on the island of Koh Rong on 23 October

The body of British backpacker Amelia Bambridge who went missing in Cambodia has been found at sea.

The 21-year-old, from Worthing, West Sussex, was last seen at a beach party on the island of Koh Rong last week.

Ms Bambridge's body was recovered 30 miles from the island and was taken to Sihanoukville on the mainland, Cambodian officials said.

Harry Bambridge, who flew to Cambodia to join the search for his sister, confirmed she had been found.

She was last seen at about 03:00 local time on 23 October and was reported missing when she failed to check out of her hostel.

Staff at Police Beach, a private party venue on the island, found her purple rucksack with her purse, phone and bank cards inside the following morning.

Amelia Bambridge's father (second left) and brother (right) arrived in Koh Rong on Sunday to join the search

About 150 volunteers - including divers, navy personnel, local people and tourists - joined Cambodian police in land and sea searches.

Ms Bambridge's father and brother flew out and joined the search parties on Sunday, Her mother had arrived on the island on Monday.

Earlier, her brother posted on Facebook: "I've just seen her and I can confirm it's my little sister Amelia.

"I'm so sorry to all her friends and family, there's nothing more I wanted than to bring her back alive and I really tried.

"I'm sorry to you Amelia Bambridge the round is on me when we meet again in heaven."

Harry Bambridge had travelled to Koh Rong to help with the search for his sister

Ms Bambridge's sister, Sharon Schultes, wrote an emotional Facebook post shortly after the news was confirmed.

"I have had the most horrific confirmation that my sister Amelia Bambridge was found and she is no longer with us," she 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.

"Thank you for all the support we've had please continue to do all you can so we can get all our family home with Amelia safely."

Koh Rong is situated off the west coast of Cambodia

A spokesperson for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: "Our thoughts are with Amelia's family at this extremely sad time, and we continue to do all we can to support them.

"Our staff in Cambodia and in the UK are providing bereavement advice and emotional support, and remain in close contact with the Cambodian authorities."

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."

Cambodian Police continued their searches before Amelia's body was found

You may also be interested in:

• ‘My Pakistani relatives thought my cancer was infectious’

• What do Workington men think of 'Workington Man'?

• Eight-year-old's secret poppy mission completed

A candlelit vigil was held in Worthing on Wednesday, one week after Amelia disappeared

On Wednesday, family members and friends of Ms Bambridge attended a vigil hosted at St Michael's Church in Worthing to mark one week from when she was last seen.

Father Christopher Ingel had said her disappearance was the "most unimaginable" thing for her family.

Follow BBC South East on Facebook, on Twitter, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail].