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THE mother of one of two young Australian women murdered in the London Bridge terror attack has confirmed her daughter Sara Zelenak was among the victims.
Ms Zelenak’s mother Julie Wallace, who flew to London to find her missing daughter, today posted a message on her Facebook page to confirm she was dead.
“Sara Zelenak is confirmed dead they found her body and has DNA tests confirmed thank you for all the overwhelming love and support from everyone,” Ms Wallace wrote.
The 21-year-old nanny from Brisbane became separated from her friend on Saturday night as people ran for their lives from a white van ploughing into pedestrians on London Bridge.
Ms Zelenak was leaving the bar London Grind, near the bridge, with her friend Pri Gonçalves when they heard the van crash and saw people running from the carnage.
Ms Zelenak’s stepfather Mark Wallace this afternoon shared a video of his stepdaughter on Facebook, saying he “really miss (her) funny little laugh”.
One of Ms Zelenak’s best friends Sam Worthington also posted a heartfelt tribute online.
“Our beautiful Sara Zelenak.
“The closest friend to Bea and I since we were in year 7.
“You bought so much joy into our lives, to me an Bea for so long and also to Mum and Dad, who took you under their wing like no other.”
Ms Worthington said she couldn’t believe she and her friend won’t “get to grow old together” and recalled one of their last conversations.
“Just Thursday I messaged you and you told me everything will always work out,” Ms Worthington wrote.
“You would be so overwhelmed by the love from everyone and probably be very salty from the dorky pictures we have together that are all over the world hahaha.
“Rest easy wherever you are, I hope there is lots of KFC and hot boys with you.”
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has confirmed two Australians were among the victims of the London Bridge terror attack.
Last night the family of South Australian nurse Kirsty Boden confirmed she was the first Australian victim of the attack.
Her family said the 28-year-old died after running towards the carnage to help victims who had been mowed down by a van and others who had been stabbed.
In a statement, Ms Bishop said the government was “deeply saddened” two Australians had been killed.
“We continue to work with the United Kingdom authorities who have asked we wait for official confirmation of the identities of the victims, and for the families to be officially notified, before we officially release their names,” Ms Bishop said.
She said the government was keeping in close contact with the families of the victims.
Seven people have been confirmed dead, and dozens of others injured, after three men in a van drove into pedestrians on London Bridge and then went on a frenzied stabbing rampage in nearby Borough Market on Sunday morning (Australian time).
There are heightened fears for Brisbane woman Sara Zelenak, who may have been injured in the weekend's terror attacks in London. Picture: AAP Image/SuppliedSource:AAP
Before the second death was confirmed, Ms Zelenak’s mother Julie Wallace revealed to radio station 97.3FM how her daughter had narrowly avoided being caught up in both the Manchester and Westminster terror attacks that rocked the UK earlier this year.
“The one with the policeman being stabbed about three months ago [at Westminster], she was there the day before in the exact spot,” Ms Wallace said.
“The one with Ariana Grande’s [concert], she was going to go to the concert. Everything she’s just missed.”
Ms Zelenak’s friend Ms Gonçalves lost her immediately after the attack. She told Fairfax that the high heels she was wearing may have slowed her down.
“I ran thinking she would be running with me but I looked back and she wasn’t there,” she said.
Ms Gonçalves fled through Borough Market and when she saw a terrorist stab a man there, she tried to call Ms Zelenak via web-based messaging service WhatsApp. She attempted to reach her three times, but there was no answer.
Sara Zelenak (right) was last seen on London Bridge before the terror attack on Saturday night. Picture: FacebookSource:Facebook
Ms Zelenak still hadn’t checked her Whatsapp since five minutes before the London Bridge terror attack began.
“I wish I could have grabbed her hand,” Ms Gonçalves told Fairfax, saying that she felt guilty about having lost her friend.
Ms Zelenak’s friends raised $15,000 via a fundraising page to help with the search and to fly her parents to London.
Aunty to missing Brisbane woman Sara Zelenak: Family bracing for the worst1:51
The aunt of an Australian woman missing in the London Bridge terror attack speaks to the media outside the family's home north of Brisbane. Video: 9 News Brisbane
Speaking to media yesterday outside the family’s home in Ormiston, east of Brisbane, Ms Zelenak’s aunt Tara said she was an “absolutely beautiful” girl.
“The family is trying to keep it together but bracing for the worst obviously,” she said before Ms Zelenak’s death was confirmed.
“Sara is absolutely beautiful. She is the girl next door, she is a very special kindred spirit.
Sara Zelenak’s aunt Tara addresses reporters outside the family home.Source:News Corp Australia
“She’s one of those people that doesn’t drink, doesn’t do drugs, doesn’t do anything wrong.
“She’s amazing and she’s 21 years of age.”
Ms Zelenak’s mother Julie Wallace had planned to visit her daughter in France later this month.
Missing Aussie woman Sara Zelenak was last seen on London Bridge before the terror attacks.Source:Supplied
“We were counting down the days to see her,” Ms Wallace told Brisbane radio station 97.3FM.
“The last time I spoke to her was our time Friday afternoon at 4.42 and she said, ‘Oh mum! It’s only 28 days until you and I and dad can have baguettes and cheese and croissants in Paris. I’m so excited to go to Paris!’ because she hasn’t been.
“She’s a very smart, sensible girl. She is healthy, fit, trim, taut, terrific — she doesn’t do anything wrong in any way.
“She’s very sensible, far more sensible than I was at her age.”
Ms Wallace said she had reacted with “absolute horror” when she was notified that her daughter was missing.
“My husband and my boys are insanely distraught. We are a very close family but I have to stay strong for them, because that’s what I have to do,” she told 97.3FM.
‘SHE RAN TOWARDS DANGER’
Earlier, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull confirmed Ms Zelenak was among four Australians believed to have been caught up in the attack and said the government had “real concerns” for her safety.
The two Australians who survived the attack, Candice Hedge and Andrew Morrison, are recovering from injuries.
South Australian nurse Kirsty Boden, 28, has been confirmed dead after being attacked by terrorists on London Bridge.
The Metropolitan Police issued a statement last night on behalf of Ms Boden’s family.
“Kirsty was loved and adored by her family, friends and boyfriend. She was the most outgoing, kind and generous person who loved to help people. Helping people was what she loved to do in her job as a nurse and in her daily life,’’ it read.
“As she ran towards danger, in an effort to help people on the bridge, Kirsty sadly lost her life.
“We are so proud of Kirsty’s brave actions which demonstrate how selfless, caring and heroic she was, not only on that night, but throughout all of her life.
“Kirsty — we love you and we will miss you dearly.’’
Australian Kirsty Boden was killed in the London terror attacks on June 3, 2017. Picture: AFP.Source:AFP
Australian nurse Kirsty Boden, 28, was killed as she ran to try to help the wounded on London Bridge, her family said in a statement. Picture: AFP.Source:AFP
Immanuel College, which Ms Boden graduated from in 2006, today issued a statement about her death.
“Kirsty had a warm and considerate nature and a bubbly personality that quickly earned her the respect and admiration of both staff and students,” the statement from Immanuel College read.
“Kirsty was deputy captain of Lohe House and took on this leadership role with enthusiasm, always looking for ways to help others”.
She was also remembered for her sporting achievements in the College’s volleyball and athletics.
“But her real passion was for swimming. An exceptional swimmer, she amassed many accolades in the pool during her time at Immanuel. In fact, Kirsty still holds a school record in the Butterfly.”
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said all Australians embroiled in the attack had now been accounted for.
“Kirsty Boden was a young nurse who went to help victims of the attack and, tragically, has been killed by these cowardly, vicious terrorists,” Mr Turnbull said.
“Sara Zelenak ... is a young Australian 21-year-old who was working in London, an au pair ... whose circumstances are being, have been the subject of very grave concern.”
Kirsty Boden enjoying Turkish coffee in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Picture: Facebook.Source:Supplied
Kirsty Boden in Milan. Picture: Facebook.Source:Supplied
‘YOU’RE TRAVELLING STRAIGHT TO HEAVEN’
Frenchman Sebastien Belanger is the latest London Bridge terror attack victim to be confirmed dead.
Mr Belanger’s girlfriend Gerda Bennet posted a tribute to her Facebook page after learning of his death.
“My love,” she wrote in French along with a photo of the pair.
The chef was missing in the aftermath of the fatal attack but a French minister today said Mr Belanger was among the dead.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian wrote in a statement: “It was with great sadness that I learned that one of the French, formerly missing, has been identified among the deceased and I offer my condolences to the family of our compatriot.”
The Frenchman’s family had travelled to London in the desperate search for him.
“RIP Sebastien Belanger! I cant believe you just taken away from us like this … with all your plans soon of travelling the world, now you’re just travelling straight to heaven,” his friend wrote.
Chef Sebastien Belanger was killed in the London terror attack.Source:Facebook
Another Frenchman Alexandre Pigeard, 27, from Colleville-Montgomery, in Normandy, was killed after his throat was slashed by the terrorists as they rampaged through the market.
He had been working as a waiter near Borough Market when he was attacked.
Mr Le Drian said a third French citizen remained missing following the attack. He is thought to be 45-year-old Xavier Thomas, who was in London for the weekend with his girlfriend.
Alexandre Pigeard from France has been unaccounted for since the London terror attack and is feared dead. Picture: AFP.Source:AFP
London’s Metropolitan Police on Tuesday issued a public appeal for information about him.
“Witness accounts suggest that it is possible that Xavier was struck by the van that resulted in him being thrown into the River Thames,” police said in a statement.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said the search for Thomas continued on Wednesday.
Thomas’ girlfriend was seriously injured after being hit by the attackers’ van.
Christine Archibald, 30, from British Columbia in Canada and James McMullan, 32, from East Hackney in London were also killed in the attack.
The Fear That Has 1,000 Eyes: Cities in the Age of Terrorism52:07
Each recent terrorist attack has led to an increase in security: new laws, surveillance of individuals, trade and financial transactions, more cameras, biometric scanning, ever-expanding security architecture. When will the next attack take place?
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