Updated - "You really were the most smart, kind, beautiful and amazing woman I've ever met," James Grima wrote about his 24-year-old girlfriend who was reported killed in Qatar. 

Primary school teacher Lauren Patterson disappeared in the early hours on Saturday in Doha, with local media claiming she was last seen outside the city's five-star La Cigale Hotel.

Mr Grima posted this photo of Ms Patterson on twitter last Sunday asking for it to be shared and for anyone having any information to pass it on to the local police.

A body was found this morning.

Although Doha police said they could not confirm whether Ms Patterson had died, what had happened to her or the progress of their investigation, Mr Grima's and her mother's messages show that she has died.

Allison Patterson, who is reported to have flown to Doha, wrote: "Thank you so much to everyone for all their wonderful words about Lauren.

"She was a truly remarkable girl my rock always there for everyone. I know she's in heaven now in her Daddy's arms."

Mr Grima wrote:

"I keep going through our messages and your pictures, and it reminds me of how lucky I was just to even know you and be a part of your life.

"Although I don't know if I will ever come to terms with what happened, I have all our funny & beautiful memories that we shared together.

"I find comfort in thinking that the last thing we said to each other was that we love each other lots and lots, and I remember promising you that I will treat everyday as if it was our last, because you deserved to be reminded of how amazing you are, and I could not hold back from telling you how much I love you every time I saw your face."

A friend said on Twitter: ‘Lauren was raped and brutally murdered. Her body was found in the dumpsters behind La Cigale.’

Ms Patterson, originally from Chislehurst in south east London, was working at the Newton British School in the Qatari capital.

Reports suggested she had returned to Doha on Friday after attending her grandmother's funeral in Britain.

Friends had desperately been appealing for help to find her on social media.

Her friend Tiffany Lingham wrote on Twitter: "Please SHARE + favourite and find my best friend #laurenpatterson MISSING since Friday in #Qatar #Doha xxx"

Michelle Muscroft posted a picture of her with friends in what appeared to be a van.

The Luxembourg Rugby Union Federation described her as a "close friend" and asked for anyone with contacts in Doha to get in touch.