The New Zealand Defence Force has paid tribute to a female staff member who died in a suspected drowning while on holiday in Thailand last week.
Renee Hodgkinson died in a suspected drowning while on holiday in Thailand last week. Photo: Facebook
The body of 24-year-old Renee Hodgkinson, who was a medic in the Royal New Zealand Army Medical Corps, was found floating near Phi Phi Islands in Phuket on Thursday 4 January.
Thai media reported Ms Hodgkinson had decided to stay by herself on the island instead of moving on with a tour.
In a statement, a Defence Force spokesperson extended its deepest sympathies to Private Hodgkinson's family and friends.
"Private Hodgkinson demonstrated a passion for helping others and she will be missed by those who trained and worked alongside her in the Linton and Waiouru Army Camps," the spokesperson said.
In a statement Ms Hodgkinson's family said they still did not know the full details around Renée's passing, and asked media to respect their privacy.
"We are still coming to terms with this most devastating of news and it is fair to say that the healing process will be long and arduous," they said.
