It has been confirmed that Sara Zelenak is the second Australian to have been murdered in the London Bridge terror attack.
From Brisbane, Ms Zelenak had been working in London as an au pair before being tragically caught up in Saturday night’s atrocity.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull had confirmed in a radio interview on Wednesday morning (Australian time) that a second Australian was among the seven people killed in the attack, but that the name could not yet be made public at that time.
It was confirmed on Tuesday that Australian nurse Kirsty Boden was one of the seven dead from the attack, having been slain by the knife wielding terrorists while going to the aid of other victims.
It had been widely reported that Ms Zelenak was still missing since Saturday night and her family were preparing for terrible news.
On Wednesday afternoon (Australian times) Ms Zelenak’s mother, Julie Wallace, who had travelled to London after funds were raised in a GoFundMe campaign, confirmed her and the nation’s worst fears.
“Sara Zelenak is confirmed dead, they found her body & has DNA tests confirmed. Thank-you for all the overwhelming love & support from everyone,” she wrote in a moving post on Facebook.
She said how excited Sara had been about coming to the UK. Ms Zelenak was due to go on a Contiki trip around Europe before returning home in August.
“Unfortunately cut short by a senseless act of terrorism,” Mrs Wallace said, adding, “It makes no sense.”
In addition to Ms Zelenak and Ms Boden, Candice Hedge from Brisbane and Andrew Morrison from Darwin were victims of the London terror attack; both stabbed in the neck but recovering.
It is understood there are no other Australians are among the seven killed and 48 wounded in the attack.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said in an interview with 3AW radio on Wednesday that he had personally been in touch with the families of the two dead Australians.
“We are heartbroken by these terrible crimes and by this terrible loss,” he said.
“This is heart-rending. This is the last thing that anybody expects to happen to their children in London.”