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The mother of a British teacher thought to have been murdered in Qatar has vowed to fight for justice as she arrived in the Gulf state to find out what happened to her daughter.

Lauren Patterson, 24, was last seen at 1.20am on Saturday after leaving a nightclub at the five-star La Cigale Hotel in the capital city Doha.

It is thought she got into a taxi with a group of people including her ex-boyfriend and her body was later found in bins near the hotel.

But it has not been confirmed by Qatari authorities whether the body is Lauren.

Police there say they have arrested "multiple" suspects in connection with the case, which has been referred to the public prosecutor, but would not respond to speculation her body was found outside La Cigale or in the desert.

Local media say no police cordon has been put in place at the hotel, and employees denied a body was found nearby.

Lauren's mother Alison Patterson said it had been "extremely stressful" waiting for forensic results to confirm if the body found is that of her daughter, but she praised Qatari police's thorough investigation.

Mrs Patterson, 48, told the Daily Mail: "Lauren was a wonderful young woman who was having the time of her life in Doha.

"She had made so many friends. It wasn't until I came out here I realised just how many people loved her."

(Image: Facebook)

She said her daughter - a primary teacher at Newton British School in Doha - had loved to travel and being around children.

She added: "There have been so many people that have put to us as a family how highly they thought of Lauren and loved her, not just in the UK but Qatar and worldwide.

"I will be staying in Doha for as long as it takes to see that justice is done for my daughter."

Following Lauren's disappearance, her family and boyfriend James Grima launched an online campaign in an effort to try and find her.

But James later updated his Facebook page to say his girlfriend had died.

He paid tribute to her, saying: "I can’t believe that it had to end this way Lauren, really I don’t.

"I was so happy that I had finally found someone that could my change my life so much, and in such a positive way too - Rest In Peace babe, I will always look up at the sky cause you always were the brightest star and always will be.”