THE mum of Danielle McLaughlin has told how her family still feels “numb” after her killer was jailed for life.
Andrea Brannigan, 53, opened up on her grief as the family remembered Danielle, 28, on the eighth anniversary of her murder.
Danielle was found dead in a secluded spot in Canacona in Goa, India, on March 14, 2017.
She had only returned to the region on February 22 and was studying to be a yoga teacher.
Now, a month on since depraved killer Vikat Bhagat, 31, received a life sentence for rape and murder, Andrea told of her relief he can no longer harm any other woman.
The mum-of-six said: “We have closure after the court process but we still don’t have Danielle in our lives. I would have struggled if we didn’t have closure.
“March 13, 2017, is the last time I spoke to Danielle. And now I go to her grave every day.
“We are so relieved he was found guilty because it means no other innocent family will have to experience the trauma that we continue to endure.
“It is eight years since Danielle was stolen from us and we will never forget what he put our family and her friends through.”
Following his conviction, Vikat has yet to appeal his sentence but has another 60 days to lodge an appeal.
Andrea said: “We are confident that he will spend the rest of his life in prison.
“Even if he does appeal, the evidence against him is overwhelming. He will never forget what he did to get that sentence.
“He has caused all sorts of damage in prison and he will always be a danger to society. He made sure we never truly got to say goodbye to Danielle.
“We will never understand the lengths he went to hurt such an innocent and loving soul.
“We are so thankful to everyone who played a part in bringing him to justice.”
Danielle’s sister Joleen also shared her feelings of grief.
‘SHE CAN NOW REST’
Joleen said: “I think of Danielle every single day but she can now rest in peace after we secured justice for her.
“We had to be in court for Danielle and also to make sure that Vikat knew how loved she was and always will be.
“We have never and will never forget Danielle – she will always be more than a victim.
“Danielle changed Goa just like she changed every person she ever met’s life.
“We are eternally grateful to the Director of Public Prosecutions, lawyers, public prosecutors and the investigating officers – we were so reassured after meeting them.”
“March 13, 2017, is the last time I spoke to Danielle. And now I go to her grave every day.”
Andrea Brannigan
Joeleen also spoke about how her sister knew her killer for over a year.
She said: “Danielle knew Vikat for over a year, she thought she could trust him and that she was safe in his presence.
“I think that’s what makes it harder, knowing she considered him her friend and he betrayed that trust so cruelly and made sure we would never see Danielle again.
“We will never see her big smile or hear another of her travel stories. She will never come home to her girls.”
Monster Bhagat will serve his sentence at the notorious Colvale Prison in north Goa.
We told last month how prosecutor Vikram Varma revealed how the killer would face a “rigorous imprisonment.
