Father of Elly Warren says he's certain his daughter was murdered

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19 Nov, 2016 07:08 AM2 mins to read

Elly Warren was in Mozambique on a diving trip when her body was discovered in the toilet block. Photo / Supplied

The father of Melbourne diver Elly Warren, who was found dead in a toilet block in Mozambique, says he is absolutely certain she was murdered by suffocation.

Elly Warren, 20, was in Mozambique on a diving trip when her body was discovered in the toilet block near a market on November 10.

She was due to fly home from the volunteer marine conservation trip the week she was killed.

Her family was informed she was murdered but Mozambique police told Australian media her body didn't show any signs of violence.

Ms Warren's father, Paul, has now issued a statement saying his daughter was murdered.

"I have come to South Africa to bring my beautiful daughter, Elly, home," Mr Warren said.

"Based on the facts I now know, I am absolutely certain that my daughter has been murdered by suffocation."

He asked for the media to respect the family's privacy as they bring Ms Warren home.

Mr Warren thanked the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Australian High Commission in Pretoria for keeping the family up to date with the facts connected to his daughter's death, and for their support.

DFAT has said it is liaising with authorities in Mozambique who are responsible for investigating Ms Warren's death.

It has been reported police in Mozambique said there were no signs of violence.

"She didn't have a scratch, didn't have a bruise on her indicating there was violence or rape," police spokesman Detective Dauto told Fairfax.

Elly Warren had planned to visit New Zealand after her Africa trip. Photo / Facebook

A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help the Warren family with Ms Warren's funeral costs.

A friend of Ms Warren paid tribute to her on Facebook, writing that she was "a beautiful girl with so much drive".

"The most selfless, dedicated and passionate soul has been taken from us," Luke Martello wrote on November 10.

"Everyone that knew Elly knows the incredible, breathtaking energy she had, which makes it so hard to believe that anything could stop it." Ms Warren had plans to start a degree in marine biology.