THE sister of a backpacker who was murdered five years ago has died.

Hannah Witheridge, an Essex University student, was killed by migrant workers in Thailand in 2014.

Five years and one day after her murder, her sister Laura Daniels, 30, died after suffering in illness.

Her family confirmed the news on social media.

Their devastated mum said on Facebook: “Can’t believe we lost our beautiful girl, a strong woman who loved in an amazing way.

“Memories remain, always I will remember times gone by us.

“I’m so sad for all who knew Laura and was loved by her.”

Friends of the family paid their respects and expressed their sadness. One friend said: “Sending you all so much love - I can’t believe how much your family have been through.”

Laura died almost five years to the day after sister Hannah, 23, and her friend David Miller, 24, were murdered on a beach in Koh Tao.

Just before the murder trial Laura set up a fundraising page so the family could fly out to Thailand for the proceedings.

Laura’s last post, from March 2015, said: “I would like to wholeheartedly thank each and every one of you for your invaluable support in helping us raise enough money to travel to Thailand to attend the trial.

“Many have gone above and beyond to help raise funds for our cause.

“The past year has thrown our lives into disarray, tarnished our trust in anything and everything and made us question humanity.

“On my darkest days, I think about the people who have thrown themselves out of planes, run

significant distances and those who have sacrificed precious pounds from tight budgets to support us.

“It is in these selfless acts of kindness that I see reason to keep putting one foot in front of the other. With love and heartfelt gratitude, Laura and the Witheridge family.”

Burmese pair Wai Phyo and Zaw Lin denied killing and raping Hannah and killing David.

Lawyers for the two men had claimed evidence used in the

case against them was mishandled.

A court rejected the defence arguments and in December 2015 convicted both defendants of murder and sentenced them to death. Thailand’s Supreme Court upheld their convictions.

Hannah lived in Colchester and studied speech and language.