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A woman who was the centre of high profile custody dispute with her New Zealand partner over their baby daughter has died.
Welsh nurse Diane Ellis-George, 44, and Stephen Jelicich made the headlines in 2005 a battle over their only child Caitlin Jelicich.
The infant was taken into hiding by her father after a court order gave Mrs Ellis-George custody.
Mr Jelicich gave himself up after nine days and mother and daughter returned to Wales.
Mrs Ellis-George was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007 and died last week.
Mr Jelicich's father Paul said yesterday he was unaware of her death.
He said the relationship between his son and Mrs Ellis-George became strained in the last year.
"She cut of all contact...Stephen used to call and talk to the little girl, but she stopped that too as I understand," he told The Dominion Post.
He did not know if his son would apply for custody of Caitlin.
Caitlin, now four, is being cared for by her 25-year-old half sister.
- NZPA
