The fiancée of a former Royal Marine who was beaten to death outside a South African rugby stadium has spoken of her devastation.
Louise Scott, of Bishops Lydeard, near Taunton, revealed that her partner, Brett Williams, died on her birthday, just hours after calling her to say how much he loved her and their daughter, Lailah, who is four years old today.
Mr Williams, 29, was a former member of 40 Commando Royal Marines who had served in Afghanistan.
He was a maritime security officer and was in his native South Africa in transit from his job when he was set upon by five burly men after a rugby match in Durban on March 24.
Mr Williams' body was expected to arrive back in Britain yesterday, but his killers are still at large.
South African police have given the suspects until tomorrow to hand themselves in via their attorneys.
Ms Scott told reporters in South Africa she last spoke to her fiancé on the morning of the day he died.
She said: "He called to wish me a happy birthday and told me that he loved me and our daughter Lailah very much.
"He had arrived in South Africa two days before he was killed and was due to fly back home on March 29. Because of his job he is always travelling.
"But we kept in contact daily through Skype or social networks.
"He was a generous man with a big heart. He had a wonderful sense of humour.
"He adored his family and would have done anything for us ..."
She said she had faith in the South African justice system and was confident that Mr Williams' killers would be brought to book.
"Family and friends in South Africa have been keeping me informed about developments there," she said.
"I have no doubts that justice will be served.
"I have had some quiet days and others have been an emotional rollercoaster.
"The hardest part has been telling Lailah she won't be seeing her father again.
"I gave her a picture of him. She held it to her chest and said 'daddy's in my chest now'."
Ms Scott said she met Williams more than seven years ago and they had planned to get married when they had secured better jobs.
Mr Williams and his family left South Africa for Liverpool when he was still a child.
His parents were expected to come to Somerset yesterday to receive their son's body.
Mr Williams' funeral service is expected to take place next week.
His uncle, Steve Williams, who lives in South Africa, has said that Mr Williams revealed that he had been robbed in the street the day before he was killed.
His passport and cash were taken but he had told the police he did not want to pursue the incident because he did not plan to be in the country long.
