A VICAR'S daughter has spoken of the last moments with her best friend who was raped and killed while they were on holiday together in Thailand.

Ruth Adams, friend of 21-year-old backpacker Katherine Horton, said: “My words cannot express the loss and devastation that I feel knowing I have lost my best friend in the most brutal, evil and permanent way imaginable”

In a statement Miss Adams, also 21, and now back home in Chislehurst, said: “Kath and I were inseparable. We knew each other inside out and shared everything.

“I cannot understand how something so evil could happen to someone so innocent, beautiful, passionate and selfless.

“My only comfort is that she is now in a place where no one can ever hurt her again.”

Miss Adams helped detectives in Thailand trace her friend’s last steps before her the brutal rape and murder.

She was with Miss Horton when she received a call from her family while sitting on the beach, shortly before midnight on New Year’s Day .

While her friend strolled along the beach talking to her family, Miss Adams returned to the bungalow where they were staying and fell asleep.

When she awoke she realised Miss Horton was missing. Her body was discovered floating off the island’s New Hut Bungalow resort by a jet-skier the same day.

Miss Adams said: “Kath and I became instant friends when we met at Reading University. We did the same course, shared a house and often travelled together. Last year we enjoyed our backpacking holiday through Croatia – which is when we discussed travelling further a field after we had graduated.

“We discussed this again on what was to turn out to be the last meal we shared on Koh Samui on New Year’s Day.

“We spent New Year’s Day together, snorkelling and splashing around in the sea, sunbathing and chatting. Now all of that has gone for ever, and there is a huge void in my life.”

* Thai police have charged two fishermen with murder and rape. They face the death penalty.

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