The body of student Libby Squire has been released to her family by police investigating her murder - five months after she was found.
The 21-year-old philosophy and religion student , vanished after a night out in Hull, East Yorkshire, where she was studying, in the early hours of February 1.
She had been turned away from the Welly nightclub in the city for being too drunk and was put in a taxi and driven home.
Her disappearance sparked a search that lasted nearly seven weeks and ended in heartbreak when cops retrieved a body from Grimsby Docks.
But her body has only today been released to her family as police continued to investigate her murder.
Officers said the investigation is continuing and a file is being prepared for the Crown Prosecution Service as results of the additional analysis are being finalised.
Detective Superintendent Martin Smalley of Humberside Police thanked Libby's family for their patience during the investigation.
He said: "In consultation with the coroner, we are now in a position for Libby's body to be released to her family.
"Libby's parents have been informed and arrangements are being made for her to be returned to them.
"Understandably, this will be an incredibly emotional time as Libby was found just over five months ago, however for investigative reasons we were unable to return Libby back to them until now.
"I want to express my gratitude and thanks for their patience and understanding, as losing a loved one is always a heart-breaking experience, but the circumstances surrounding Libby's tragic death make it even more devastating."
He added: "We continue to offer our full support and I would ask people to please respect their privacy. There are no details for any funeral arrangements at this time and should this be information the family wish to share we will of course assist them however we can.
"The investigation is continuing with a file being prepared for the Crown Prosecution Service as results of the additional analysis are being finalised."
Tributes poured in for the popular student, originally from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, after her body was found.
A bench she was last seen alive on, just a few hundred metres from her home, became a focal point of flowers and cards from mourners.
One card read: "RIP lovely Libby. Hull will always hold you in our hearts."
Libby's heartbroken mum, Lisa, paid a heartfelt tribute to her daughter, who she referred to as 'Pie', on social media after her death had been confirmed.
She wrote: "No family should have to endure that. No sisters should have that special girl they have known for all their time on this earth taken from her.
"No 11-year-old brother should have his idol taken from him. No dad should have his first born little girl, his princess, taken from him.
"No grandparent should lose their first born grandchild child. No aunt and uncle lose their first born niece. No mother should have to watch her family go through all of that.
"There have been so many low points but by far the worst point was having to call Connor, the absolute love of her life, and tell him I am so sorry the girl you love the most in the world has gone.
"I can not thank you enough my darling Pie for making me a mummy. For choosing me to be your mummy. It's an honour, a privilege and a joy.
"I kept you safe for as long as I could and I am so sorry I could not keep you safe on that night. I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry."
