Brother of missing Brit backpacker, 21, saw photos of her dead body on Instagram

The brother of a missing British backpacker found dead in Cambodia saw horrifying pictures of her body before he could even identify her.

Amelia Bambridge, 21, went missing during a beach party on the island of Koh Rong last year - and was found seven days later at sea.

Her brother Harry, 28, who lives in Los Angeles, US, was sickened to find images of her body on Instagram as he travelled to south-east Asia.

He claimed officials who picked her up out of the water dozens of miles from where she went missing released the heartbreaking pictures of her before she was even back on land.

The relative also spoke of how he broke the news of Amelia's death to their mum after he and his dad identified her body at a police station.

Harry Bambridge saw pictures of his sister's dead body before he could identify her (Getty)

Mr Bambridge, originally from Worthing, West Sussex, told The Sun: "They (the pictures of her body) were posted onto social media before me and dad had even seen her.

"She was still on the water and pictures of her body were all over the internet. I was getting messages from back in the UK, saying sorry and RIP. We hadn't even identified her yet."

Mr Bambridge said the shock of his sister's death was even greater because she was the 'more sensible one' of the family.

There was a huge search effort for the Brit after she went missing (AFP via Getty Images)

He added: "The thing that hurts the most is that she is not living the life she should have lived."

The family fear they may never know what caused the Brit's death.

Her grieving brother warned other Brits to be careful about backpacking around the idyllic islands in the region.

He said crime goes on 'behind the scenes' but locals do not speak out about it because of the importance of tourism.

A post-mortem exam carried out in the city of Sihanoukville found Amelia died by drowning.

National Police spokesman Chhay Kim Khoeun previously told The Phnom Penh Post authorities believe Amelia likely went for a swim after drinking at the party, leaving her bag on the beach, where it was found on a rock with her mobile phone, cards and money inside.

Mr Khoueun said: “She was probably drunk and unaware that the spot she was swimming in was deep."