
A British tourist who was murdered in the Indian holiday resort of Palolem beach in Goa had left a heartbreaking final post on Facebook just days before her death.

Danielle McLaughlin, 28, was found naked in a pool of blood yesterday morning after attending Holi celebrations in southern Goa. Her killer sexually assaulted her and 'disfigured' her face with a beer bottle.

A local man, named as Vikat Bhagat, has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

On February 22 Ms McLaughlin, who lived in Liverpool, revealed she was 'off on another adventure' to Goa.

She wrote: 'Thank you to all my friends and family for making home so special and always looking after me. I am very grateful and the luckiest person I know... Off on another adventure.'

Under the same post today, which included a sunset landscape picture, a friend wrote: 'Beautiful sunset for a beautiful soul'.

Her mother, Andrea Brannigan, said her daughter would be 'sadly missed' as 200 locals and foreign nationals gathered in Goa to pay tribute to Ms McLaughlin.

The backpacker, who arrived in Goa on February 23, had been at Agonda beach and Patnem beach with friends during her first fortnight in the state.

On Monday night she celebrated the Holi festival at nearby Palolem beach, popular with Western tourists.

Her badly beaten body was discovered by a farmer at Deobag Beach about four miles away on Tuesday morning. She had suffered extensive injuries to her face and head.

Police have arrested Bhagat, a convicted criminal, and he has reportedly confessed, saying he sexually assaulted her and disfigured her with a beer bottle so people would not be able to identify her.

Ms McLaughlin (left), who is thought to have lived in Liverpool, had just arrived from the north of the state and had been seen out and about at a party on Monday night at nearby Palolem beach, popular with Western tourists. A local man named as Vikat Bhagat (right) has been arrested

About 200 mourners attended a vigil on Wednesday night to mourn McLaughlin, as her mother, Andrea Brannigan, said she would be 'sadly missed'

At the vigil on Wednesday night, 200 local and foreign nationals gathered with flowers to pay tribute to Ms McLaughlin in Goa

Ms McLaughlin's badly beaten body was discovered by a farmer at Deobag Beach about four miles away on Tuesday morning. She had suffered extensive injuries to her face and head

Superintendent of Police Uttam Raut Dessai, from Sanguem Police Station, and is helping the investigation, said: 'This is a murder case that was registered at Cancona Police Station yesterday.

'We received information from our sources that there was a boy named Vikas Bhagat, 23, a rowdy and a boy known to police in Goa was spotted with her in the afternoon and evening.

'He was then brought in and interrogated. He has today confessed to sexually assaulting her and killing her with a beer bottle.

Bhagat, 23, confessed to the killing, saying he sexually assaulted Ms McLaughlin before disfiguring her face with a beer bottle

'The girl arrived at one restaurants with Vikas on a scooter. He has confessed to the crime but is now trying to involve others.

'We do not believe there were more involved in the crime but our investigation will make sure of this.

'We believe he took her clothes so that the body was not recognized by anyone.

'And in order to hide her identity, he tried to destroy her face with a beer bottle because people had seen him with Danielle.

'He was trying to conceal his crime but ultimately a murder is a murder.'

He added the post mortem will take place once the police get permission from the embassy.

Police said this morning that they had arrested a suspect named as Vikat Bhagat who they said was a petty thief. He is said to have made a confession.

Sammy Tavares, Deputy Superintendent of Police had earlier revealed that the body was found 'lying in a pool of blood without clothes and there were injuries to the head and face'.

Bhagat was arrested in March 2014 for targeting foreigners in a string of burglaries in the area.

One British holidaymaker revealed a thief had sneaked into their holiday villa through a balcony and taken a laptop, two mobile phones and a portable hard drive worth around £1,620.

Ms McLaughlin was been found dead near a beach in the Indian holiday resort of Goa amid fears she was raped and murdered. Police descended on the scene of the murder (pictured) on Tuesday morning a

A 28-year-old, named by police as Danielle McLaughlin (pictured), was found naked in a pool of blood in a field yesterday morning after attending Holi celebrations in the Canacona area of southern Goa, India

The victim had been partying at popular Palolem beach (file picture) before she was found dead yesterday morning

Police said this morning that they had arrested a suspect named as Vikat Bhagat (pictured) who they said was a petty thief. He is said to have made a confession, saying he sexually assaulted Ms McLaughlin and disfigured her face with a beer bottle

Another told how he had taken a laptop, camera, mobile phone and CDs worth more than £1,100

Following the reported crimes, police watched the flats and caught Bhagat who had been found guilty of seven previous offences.

A worker at the Dreamcatcher resort where Danielle had reportedly visited the day before her murder said he knew of the arrested man and that he was 'the biggest thief of the area.'

'He steals from foreigners only - break into their rooms and loot everything. He scares outsiders who have set up their business here. He is a powerful person, by powerful I mean he scares people using weapon. He is a nuisance for the society.'

The 28-year-old's body was discovered by a farmer about four miles away from Palolem beach on Tuesday morning

Deputy Superintendent of Police Sammy Tavares said that officers had arrested Vikat Bhagat (pictured) and that 'he has confessed to raping the victim and later killing her in order to hide his identity'

Ms McLaughlin's Facebook profile says she had studied at Liverpool John Moores University and was from Buncrana in Ireland. She is pictured, centre, with some children during one trip abroad

Detectives said they had questioned up to 15 people over the killing of Ms McLaughlin, who was travelling under a British passport.

Police Inspector Filomeno Costa told reporters: 'A local named Prashant Komarpant alerted us after he noticed the body while he was on his way to the fields around 7am on Tuesday morning.

'The body had bruises and her face was badly smashed. Looking at the injuries we concluded that that it was a case of murder.

'We sent her body to Goa Medical College for autopsy and awaiting report to ascertain if she was sexually assaulted.

'We are also speaking with the hotels where she had stayed to find out if she was with her friends or holidaying alone.'

He later added that although police suspect sexual assault in the case, they have yet not pressed rape charges pending the results of a postmortem report is awaited.

According to Goacom, a friend working in the accommodation business at nearby Agonda said Ms McLaughlin had arrived in the area from Arambol on Sunday and stayed with another friend.

Heartbroken friends of the 28-year-old backpacker (above in a Facebook picture) say she 'added happiness' to the world

It is thought Ms McLaughlin (pictured) who had a tattoo saying 'Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery', lived in Liverpool, but may have been born in Ireland

WHAT HAPPENED IN THE LEAD UP TO VIKAS BHAGAT'S ARREST At 8.20am on Tuesday, police received information from Prashand Komarpant in Palolem, Canacona, about a body for a foreign female in an open field in Devabag, about 150m from a road leading from Canacona to Agonda. The woman had injuries on her face and head when her body was discovered. The body was identified as Danielle Mclaughlin by foreigners. She had arrived in Goa on February 23 and was staying in Arambol, but she had travelled to Festival Valley with a British friend on March 12 to stay with other foreigner friends over night. At about 1pm on March 13, Ms McLaughlin left Festival Valley and went to Palolem, where she was seen with 23-year-old Vikat Bhagat in Waddo Canacona. The pair were seen together on CCTV near a restaurant in Ourem. Miss McLaughlin was last seen with Bhagat at about 9.30pm on March 13, and was found dead the next day. Bhagat was arrested on March 14 at 3.10pm. His scooter allegedly had blood stains on it, as did his clothes. During a medical examination, officials found Bhagat had nail wounds. Bhagat has since confessed to killing Ms McLaughlin, saying he sexually assaulted her and disfigured her face with a beer bottle. Advertisement

He said she then told the friend she was going to meet some people she had met on a previous trip to the country who were going to help her find accommodation at Palolem.

The friend said she had left at 2pm on Monday and was seen at a hotel in Palolem dancing with her Indian friends during Holi celebrations.

Police are studying the CCTV footage of all the shacks the victim visited on Monday night, and are working with teams of sniffer dogs and forensic teams.

While the police found the deceased's clothes, they are yet to locate the murder weapon.

The body has been sent to the Goa Medical College near Panaji for a post mortem.

It is thought Ms McLaughlin, who had a tattoo saying 'Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery', lived in Liverpool, but was from Buncrana in County Donegal.

Her Facebook profile says she had studied at Liverpool John Moores University. A spokesman today: 'The University is shocked and saddened to hear of the death of one of our former students, Danielle McLaughlin.

'We send our sincere condolences to her family and friends from all at LJMU.'

In early February Ms McLaughlin posted a thank you to her friends for wishing her a happy birthday.

Police said this morning that they had arrested a man called Vikat Bhagat and that he had made a confession. Ms McLaughlin is pictured left with a friend

The victim's badly beaten body was discovered by a farmer at Devbag Beach (pictured) about four miles away on Tuesday morning. She had suffered extensive injuries to her face.

In a heartbreaking post on Facebook written just days ago on February 22, Ms McLaughlin revealed how she was 'off on another adventure' to Goa

Ms McLaughlin had just arrived with a friend from the north of the state so they could celebrate Holi (file picture), a spring festival famous for crowds of people throwing paint - and held to celebrate the triumph of good over evil

'Thanks for all the birthday love. It was filled with dancing, dinners and family time. Very grateful for all the beautiful pals I have accumulated in life,' she wrote.

Christy Duffy, a close friend of Ms McLaughlin's from Buncrana, has already raised several thousand euro on a fundraising website to help pay for the funeral and repatriation costs.

'There's not really much anyone can say at the moment as I know we are all completely devastated,' he said.

'There is nothing I need to say about Danielle as anyone who knew her, knew that she was a beautiful and kind-hearted, funny young lady who loved life and was a loyal and devoted friend, sister and daughter.

'They say the brightest stars burn the quickest and no other analogy could describe Danielle's life better.'

Mr Duffy said the Irish embassy, the British embassy, the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust and many close friends are working hard on the arrangements to bring Ms McLaughlin's body home.

'The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust have been brilliant and cover most arrangements and expenses, so basically this fundraiser is to help her family with the added costs of having someone with her when she returns and to give her the send-off she deserves,' he said.

Another Friend Candice Faulkner, who grew up with Danielle in the small town of Buncrana said on Facebook: 'We are in shock. Danielle was an amazing person with so much adventure in front of her. Our small town is devastated.'

MYSTERIOUS DEATHS HAVE BLIGHTED BEACH HAVEN British schoolgirl Scarlett Keeling was found dead in Anjuna in mysterious circumstances in 2008 It is one of India's top tourism destinations with millions drawn by the promise of palm tree-fringed beaches and hedonistic parties. But the murder of 28-year-old Danielle McLaughlin is the latest case to blight picturesque Goa and its reputation as a holiday haven. In 2008, the body of British schoolgirl Scarlett Keeling was found bruised and semi-naked in shallow water in Anjuna, 70 miles from the spot where Ms McLaughlin was killed. The 15-year-old drowned after allegedly being plied with drugs - though her mother Fiona MacKeown has long insisted she was murdered. Goan police initially said her death was the result of an accidental drowning before two men went on trial for assaulting and killing her. But in September, Samson D'Souza and Placido Carvalho were cleared in an Indian court. Mackeown said today that she was not surprised by Danielle's murder. The mother from Bideford, North Devon said: 'This story reinforces my belief that Goa is a dangerous place to visit. 'Scarlett's murder was covered up and I hope this one isn't. People are already comparing the two cases. It should put more pressure on the government to clean up the area. 'If they don't do something, tourists will not feel safe to come to Goa. In my case, the court revealed they did not do a proper investigation. Two years after Scarlett's death, in 2010, another mysterious death took place. Edinburgh-born Denyse Sweeney was 34 when she collapsed outside a bar in Anjuna. She was declared dead at hospital less than an hour later. An Indian post mortem result put her cause of death down to a drugs overdose and said the evidence pointed to it being an accidental death. But in 2012, an inquest in Derby heard that there were no drugs in the mother of two's system. There were 20 unexplained marks on her body. The tests in the UK showed that she had in fact died from a head injury. The family campaigned for a new investigation in India. But detectives from India's Central Bureau of Investigation later dropped the probe, insisting there was no evidence of violence. Her sister Maureen said afterwards that she still believed Denyse had been murdered. According to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, between 2010 and 2014, 58 British nationals died in Goa in what are described as 'unknown' circumstances. Edinburgh-born Denyse Sweeney (pictured) was 34 when she collapsed outside a bar in Anjuna. She was declared dead at hospital less than an hour later Advertisement

And another friend of the family, Ruth Taylor said: 'My brain won't let it register!! Our poor Danielle, it's such a shock, I'm heartbroken!'

Danielle had been travelling the world, meeting up with friends as she travelled. It is believed she had been in Goa with a pal.

She had lived in Liverpool for many years, and had worked in the PumpHouse Bar on the Albert Dock before going travelling.

The firm said on Facebook: 'Very sad to hear we have lost one of our old team members Danielle McLaughlin in Goa this week. She was only 28. Goodbye Danielle. Deepest condolences to her family in Ireland.'

The Irish Independent quotes Rena Donaghey, a councillor in the Buncrana area as saying the death had left the whole community 'in deep shock'

'Everyone is very saddened by the news. She was a lovely young woman who has come to a very sad end. She was very popular and very liked in the community. She headed off on a backpacking holiday in February to do some travelling.

'On behalf of the community, I would like to offer sympathy and condolences. I hope God will give the family strength at this tragic time to help them through the weeks and months ahead.'

Police are also studying the CCTV footage of all the shacks the victim visited on Monday night, and are working with teams of sniffer dogs and forensic teams (file picture)

The Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin earlier confirmed it was talking to its embassy in India about the reports.

The Irish embassy said: 'Ireland's Embassy in New Delhi is in contact with Indian authorities in relation to reports of an incident involving an Irish citizen.

'The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade stands ready to provide consular assistance.'

But the Department later said it was 'following up on the suspected murder of an Irish woman in Goa' who had been 'using a British passport'.

'It has been confirmed that the woman travelled to India using a British passport, so the local British consulate have the lead responsibility in terms of dealings with the Indian authorities,' the spokesman added.

'The Irish Embassy is liaising closely with the British authorities and an Irish consular official is travelling from New Delhi to Goa today.'

An FCO spokesperson said: 'We are supporting the family of a British-Irish woman following her death in Goa, India. Our thoughts are with them at this very difficult time. Indian police are conducting an investigation and we are in close contact with them.'

In 2008, British teenager Scarlett Keeling (left) was found dead on Goa's popular Anjuna beach. Her mother, Fiona Mackeown (right) said today that she was not surprised by Danielle's murder

In 2008, British teenager Scarlett Keeling was found dead on Goa's popular Anjuna beach.

The 15-year-old drowned after allegedly being plied with drugs - though her mother Fiona MacKeown has long insisted she was murdered.

Two men, Samson D'Souza and Placido Carvalho, were cleared of raping and killing her by an Indian court last year.

Mackeown said today she was not surprised by Danielle's murder.

The mother from Bideford, North Devon said: 'This story reinforces my belief that Goa is a dangerous place to visit.

'Scarlett's murder was covered up and I hope this one isn't. People are already comparing the two cases. It should put more pressure on the government to clean up the area.

'If they don't do something, tourists will not feel safe to come to Goa. In my case, the court revealed they did not do a proper investigation.

'I would think knowing what they know now they will not make same mistakes. The police seem to have acted quickly and picked up someone - they did the opposite with Scarlett.

'Goa will not be safe until there is stiffer punishment for rapists and a change in attitude from men.'