The fiancee of Nirranda surfer/musician Sean McKinnon, who was shot dead in his campervan in New Zealand last Friday, has described him as the "love of my life".
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Canadian Bianca Buckley paid tribute to Mr McKinnon as his family prepares to bring his body back to Victoria.
In a note shared with the media, Ms Buckley described Mr McKinnon as "the light and love of my life".
"My greatest teacher. My protector," she said.
Ms Buckley said she was determined to see justice carried out and would be a key witness in the case.
New Zealand police said the post mortem had been completed and Mr McKinnon's body had been returned to the family.
In a statement, police said: "His partner says she is focused on gathering her thoughts on the memories she has with Sean and the time they spent together before the tragic events of Friday morning".
Buckley's parents, who live in Halifax, Canada, told Canadian news outlet CTV News Atlantic they had been in touch with their daughter following the attack and were upset by the whole incident.
"I'm devastated," her mother said. Buckley's father said it was "an absolutely unbelievable event" and the family wouldn't be commenting any further.
The couple got engaged around Christmas in 2017, according to their social media.
Meanwhile, a friend of a man charged with the murder of Nirranda surfer Sean McKinnon in New Zealand has posted on social media about the accused's struggles.
New Zealand police continue to search for the murder weapon and have appealed for witnesses to come forward if they saw a hitchhiker near a small town where the body of Mr McKinnon was found in his campervan.
The 33-year-old Nirranda surfer/musician was shot several times while asleep with his fiancee Bianca Buckley by his side in their campervan near Raglan, a popular surf spot near Hamilton in New Zealand.
A 23-year-old man was charged with the murder on Saturday after he allegedly fired shots into the campervan, before driving off in it, with Mr McKinnon dying inside as Ms Buckley fled for her life.
Mr McKinnon's body was later found in the vehicle in the nearby town of Gordonton at 8am on Friday.
A friend of the alleged killer took to social media on Sunday, posting a public photo of him and the man standing side by side. "I witnessed your struggle brother ...," he wrote.
The accused, who is originally from the town of Te Aroha, had previously posted several photos of himself with his middle finger up - the most recent picture with the same gesture posted just under one month ago.
He also posted photos wearing a shirt with the words "Go get F****ed" printed on the back.
Waikato police said on Sunday they are still looking for the gun used in the attack and they're working to return Mr McKinnon's body to his family.
Police urged anyone who may have spotted a hitchhiker around Gordonton or at nearby Whitikahu during the day on Friday to contact them.
Mr McKinnon's sister, Emmeline, told reporters outside court "we just don't know even how to begin to put life together without him".
"The worst thing was telling my mother," Ms McKinnon added.
She said her brother's fiancee Ms Buckley had been "amazingly resilient and strong".
"I cannot even begin to understand what she's gone through.
"She's a really strong young woman. We're just really glad she's alive."
Detective Inspector Graham Pitkethley said Ms Buckley remained shocked and traumatised from her ordeal.
"She is thankful that an arrest within a 24-hour period has occurred and we're working with her and her family, and we'll continue to be in touch with her around her welfare," he said.
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