Northern Ireland

Family of Nóra Quoirin tell of 'infinite' love for daughter (15) as post-mortem results awaited

Nóra Quoirin's body was found in Malaysia on Tuesday, 10 days after she was reported missing from Dusun Eco-Resort where she had been staying with her family
Nóra Quoirin's body was found in Malaysia on Tuesday, 10 days after she was reported missing from Dusun Eco-Resort where she had been staying with her family Nóra Quoirin's body was found in Malaysia on Tuesday, 10 days after she was reported missing from Dusun Eco-Resort where she had been staying with her family

THE family of Nóra Quoirin have told of their "infinite" love for the 15-year-old as they awaited the results of a post-mortem in Malaysia.

Despite an examination beginning yesterday to establish the cause of death, after eight hours of tests no findings had been released.

The post-mortem was being carried out at a hospital in Seremban by two senior pathologists and two forensic chemists.

Authorities said any results were not expected before today at the earliest.

Nóra was reported missing from her bedroom at the Dunsun Eco Resort, an hour from Kuala Lumpur, on the morning of Sunday August 4.

The vulnerable teenager had arrived at the rainforest resort with her parents Meabh, who is from Belfast, and Sebastien, who is French, and two younger siblings the day before.

A huge search operation was mounted, including police, forest trackers, helicopters, drones and sniffer dog.

On Tuesday a team of volunteer hikers found Nóra's body near a stream on a palm oil plantation.

It was discovered in an area that had previously been searched by rescuers.

Deputy police chief Mazlan Mansor told reporters that the body "was not in any clothings" and that the probe was considering all possibilities, including the "angle of criminal investigation".

Volunteer hiker who helped find missing Nóra Quoirin tells of how she looked as if `she were sleeping' 

Meabh and Sebastien Quoirin, who met in Northern Ireland but have lived in London for 20 years, later formally identified their eldest daughter's remains.

Yesterday the family released a statement in which they said they loved their 15-year-old daughter "infinitely".

They said their hearts had been "broken" by the tragic death of their child, who was born with the brain condition holoprosencephaly.

In the statement, released through the Lucie Blackman Trust, the family said the schoolgirl, who had learning difficulties, had "truly touched the world".

"Nóra is at the heart of our family. She is the truest, most precious girl and we love her infinitely. The cruelty of her being taken away is unbearable. Our hearts are broken."

The statement added: "We would like to thank all the people that have been searching for Nóra and trying their best to find her.

"We thank the local people here and those far and wide for their prayers and support at this time. Nóra has brought people together, especially from France, Ireland, Britain and Malaysia, united in their love and support for her and her family."

Sankara N Nair, a lawyer representing the Quoirin family, yesterday said they expected "the police to do a thorough investigation into the incident, including criminal angles".

Mr Nair said Nóra's family were "highly traumatised following the loss of their child. They are in a state of shock".

He also urged Malaysian police to accept an offer by French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian to help investigate the circumstances of the death.

"It's a very good proposal. I hope police will accept the assistance," he said.