British police have identified the victims of the New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans as 31-year-old Edward Pettifer from London whose stepmother was a nanny to Prince William and Prince Harry.
He was among 14 people killed by a U.S. Army veteran who had pledged allegiance to Islamic State and rammed a truck into a crowd of revellers.
“The entire family are devastated at the tragic news of Ed’s death in New Orleans,” Pettifer’s family said in a statement issued by London’s Metropolitan Police.
William said he and his wife Kate were “shocked and saddened” by the news.
“Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Pettifer family and all those innocent people who have been tragically impacted by this horrific attack,” he said in a message on social media.
A royal source said King Charles was also deeply saddened to learn of Pettifer’s death and had been in touch with the family to pass on his personal condolences.
Pettifer’s father Charles, a former British army officer, married Tiggy Legge-Bourke in 1999 shortly after she had stepped down as nanny to William and Harry.
The family remained close to British royalty and Pettifer’s step brother Tom was a page at William’s wedding in 2011.
Meanwhile, Metropolitan Police said its Counter Terrorism Policing, through officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, are supporting the family of the deceased British national.
Police said Family Liaison Officers are providing specialist support and will guide the family through the repatriation and coronial processes, working with a range of international and Government partners.
(With inputs from Reuters)
