Family left heartbroken after bride killed on honeymoon

A NEWLYWED murdered by armed carjackers on her honeymoon in South Africa was "incredibly popular" and her death has left relatives "heartbroken", neighbours said yesterday.

Anni Dewani had been married to her husband Shrien for only two weeks when their people carrier was ambushed by gunmen in a township on the outskirts of Cape Town on Saturday night.

The attackers drove off with the couple inside the car and, although Mr Dewani, 31, was later released unharmed, the battered body of his Swedish wife, 28, was found soon afterwards by police.

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The couple lived with relatives in a large 1920s house in Bristol and are believed to have owned care homes for the elderly,

A spokesman for the Dewani family said relatives were too upset to comment, but neighbours paid tribute to the couple.

Suleman Ahmed said: "The family, I think, are quite shocked, they are heartbroken. They were only married a couple of weeks ago. I met Shrien a couple of times and he was a lovely guy.

"I haven't met Anni in person but from what I hear she was incredibly popular, they made a fantastic couple.

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"We're a very close-knit community and are always there for each other in times like these.

"They're a lovely family, very well-respected within the Asian community in Bristol. They're an absolutely fantastic family, it's just tragic really."

A police spokesman added: "The investigation is still ongoing and the search for the suspects continues. No-one has been arrested and detectives are following up on all possible leads."

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are aware of the situation and are providing consular assistance to a British national who is involved, and their family."

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