A CLOSE friend of the woman found stabbed to death in India last week has spoken of her devastation as she comes to terms with the loss of a woman she saw as a mother figure.

Tributes have been pouring in after we reported on the tragic death of 52-year-old former Trowbridge charity worker Denise Higgins, who was found dead in her bungalow just six months after leaving her home in Chippenham to live in Goa.

Her body was brought back to the country on Wednesday and her friend Dianora Fernandes, of Longfield Road, Trowbridge is now keen to get in touch with her family to speak about the woman loved by many.

Mrs Fernandes, a 42-year-old mother of three, described the moment she found out her friend had died. She said: "I was so sad. I saw it in the paper in Asda and just stood in the shop crying. I treated her like she was my mother. I phoned my sister in Goa straight away and she is now in touch with Darren (her son).

"She moved to Goa last year but was planning to come back to visit in Easter but that time has come now and I will not get the chance to see her again. I feel very sad about that."

Mrs Fernandes, a volunteer for Oxfam in Trowbridge, first met Mrs Higgins in 2004 when her husband was dying of cancer. Mrs Higgins was at the time working with Trowbridge-based Splitz, a single parenting support group now based in Duke Street. She said: "She came to see me all the time and we would have a good laugh and a chat. She was always very happy and smiley."

The pair shared a common interest in Goa and Mrs Higgins was always keen to talk about the country.

Mrs Fernandes said: "Goa is very safe and beautiful but I think she must have just let an unnecessary person in to her home, which is something she always warned me not to do.

"She told me she was going to do volunteer work in Goa and asked me to go out and stay with her. She was very kind and honest. I shall miss her very much."

Mrs Fernandes lights a candle every night in memory of Mrs Higgins, using a candleholder given to her by the charity worker as a leaving present before she left for Goa in October.

  • A 28-year-old waiter, Anand Kambli, has been arrested by police in India in connection with Mrs Higgins' murder.