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The family of a New Zealand woman whose body was found near Moscow have criticised the media's coverage of her death and asked for privacy.
Russian police are investigating after the body of Pamela Crane, 72, from Auckland, was reportedly found about 50km north of Moscow on June 3.
In a statement issued through New Zealand police, Mrs Crane's children said their paramount concern were that their mother's dignity was maintained.
They described detailed revelations of her death in the media as their worst nightmare.
"She was a very dignified, much loved, and highly respected lady."
They said their mother had brought them up single handedly and left behind seven grandchildren aged 3 to 11-years-old.
"Now that these details [of Mrs Crane's death] have been made public the values of the media should consider the future of these children and weigh them up against their own interests."
"We need them to be able to remember their grandmother as she was, and to retain their wonderful memories."
"We ask the news media to have humanity, to immediately cease all reference to our Mother's manner of death in all forms, and to respect our feelings and wish for complete privacy during this distressing time."
"We simply want to be able to grieve like any normal family. In peace."
The family said Mrs Crane was an "amazing lady; loving and most loved".
"She had an courageous spirit and in her final days she was doing what she loved and wanted to do, travelling and visiting places that she had longed to visit. This is the way we will remember her."
Mrs Crane moved to New Zealand 30 years ago but was travelling on a British passport. She had joined an Intrepid Tour in Beijing on May 4 and travelled by train to Moscow.
The tour ended on May 29, the last day she was seen, and she was reported missing on June 10.
After completing the tour Mrs Crane was intending to travel to Sergeyev-Posad to tour a monastery.
She had intended to return to her hotel to get her luggage and catch a train to St Petersburg.
British High Commission staff found Mrs Crane's bags were still at her hotel, the Izmailovo Vega Hotel.
Intrepid Tours Newmarket retail manager Vance Haywood said several staff had talked to Mrs Crane while she was organising her trip.
They were in shock after hearing of her death.
Mrs Crane's son had been due to pick her up from the airport in Auckland but found she was not on the flight.
- NZPA
