Prince William expressed shock and sadness Saturday at news of the death of his former nanny's stepson in the New Year's Eve truck attack in New Orleans that killed 14 people.
London's Metropolitan Police confirmed on Saturday that it is supporting the family of Edward Pettifer, 31, including assisting them in the process of returning his body to the United Kingdom. Pettifer, who is from west London, is the latest victim to be identified.
In a statement on social media, the Prince of Wales said he and his wife, Catherine, were “shocked and saddened by the tragic death of Ed Pettifer. “Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Pettifer family and all those innocent people who have been tragically affected by this horrific attack.”
Pettifer was the stepson of Tiggy Legge-Bourke, who was a nanny for both William and his brother, Prince Harry, between 1993 and 1999, including the time after the death of their mother, Princess Diana, in 1997. Legge-Bourke , who is also known as Alexandra Pettifer, was regularly photographed with Diana.
British media also reported that King Charles III is deeply saddened by the news and has sent his condolences to Pettifer's family.
In a statement, Pettifer's family said they were “devastated by the tragic news of Ed's death” and described him as “a wonderful son, brother, grandson, nephew and friend to many.”
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“We will all miss him very much. “Our thoughts are with the other families who have lost their relatives due to this terrible attack,” the family added.
The UK Foreign Office also said it was supporting Pettifer's family and was in contact with US authorities.
Authorities say 14 people were killed and about 30 wounded in the attack carried out early Wednesday by Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a former army soldier who posted several videos on his Facebook hours before the attack in which he foresaw the violence it would unleash and He proclaimed his support for Islam. State militant group. The coroner's office listed the cause of death for all 14 victims as “blunt force injuries.”
Jabbar, 42, was shot to death in a shootout with police at the scene of the deadly crash on Bourbon Street, world-famous for its party atmosphere in New Orleans' historic French Quarter.
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