Father remembers 'happy' Lucie

Tim Blackman and partner Jo Burr will bring body home

The father of murdered hostess Lucie Blackman has spoken of his sadness at her death, and the relief that her body has been found.

An emotional Tim Blackman, 47, described the find as "sad and traumatic", but told reporters: "It sounds strange but after so many weeks and months there was quite a feeling of relief that we had at least got a conclusion."

We knew perhaps she was dead and for some weeks we had this realisation that we may never find her

Tim Blackman

He spoke just hours after Japanese police confirmed that human remains found in a beachside cave near Tokyo were that of the 22-year-old Briton, missing since 1 July.

Mr Blackman, a property developer, and his partner Jo Burr plan to fly to Tokyo to bring her body home as soon as authorities give the go-ahead.

"I hope she knew nothing of what happened to her," he said.

"I hope that she had a glass of champagne, felt a bit woozy and then passed out. I hope that she felt no terror or pain and where she is now she is happy.

"We will always love her. We will be all right and we will get ourselves back together and lead our lives in the way Lucie would like us to lead them."

Lucie had left British Airways to travel round the world

He said he would most remember her sense of humour.

"The strongest memory is of her laughing - extremely sharp and humorous wit. She was extraordinarily entertaining company. Very charismatic."

He also had praise for the police: "I strongly believe, in hindsight, that the performance and extensiveness of the investigation by Tokyo Metropolitan Police has been first rate."

But he criticised Toyko's hostess bar trade, where his daughter worked.

"There would seem to be relatively little duty of care from the club owners.

"I think it's a great shame that the Japanese don't seem to be able to see, with the global explosion of the porn trade, how their more traditional enjoyments are being changed to something far more dangerous.

"Lucie has been a consequence of that."

Appeals

The remains of the former British Airways stewardess were found on Friday near a cave at Miura, at the mouth of Tokyo Bay, about 30 miles south of the capital.

Police found feet, a hand, a section of leg and her severed head, partly encased in concrete. They were identified as Miss Blackman's using dental records.

Since her disappearance Mr Blackman has made a number of emotional appeals for help from the Japanese public during frequent visits to Tokyo.

Police found the remains on this stretch of waterfront

The case has attracted huge publicity in Japan, where crimes involving Western women are rare.

Miss Blackman disappeared during a day-trip to the Chiba coast, east of Tokyo, with an unidentified man.

A Japanese businessman, who has an apartment near where the discovery was made, has been suspected in Miss Blackman's disappearance.

Property developer Joji Obara, 48 - who is already on trial for the rape of several women - has denied involvement in the disappearance of Miss Blackman.

But he has admitted having drinks with her at the bar where she worked.

Police have made no charges against the businessman in connection with Ms Blackman's disappearance. But he has since been charged with the abduction, drugging and indecent assault of another Western woman.

Foreign Secretary Robin Cook said he was "deeply saddened".

"Her father, Tim, whom I met in Tokyo, and the whole family, are much in my thoughts. I have greatly admired their courage as they have sought news of Lucie. The task now must be to bring her killer to justice."

The British Ambassador to Japan, Sir Stephen Gomersall, said his thoughts went out to the Blackman family, who had borne the ordeal with remarkable courage and fortitude.