by Hayley Robinson

hrobinson@thekmgroup.co.uk

The parents of Carl Davies say they hope his body will be repatriated this week.

While it will bring Andy and Maria Davies some comfort that their son is back in England, it could be weeks before they are able to lay him to rest.

Speaking to the Times Guardian, Mr Davies senior said: "He's [Carl] in Paris at the moment and when he arrives at the airport [in England] his body will be seized by a Home Office pathologist. We still don't know when that will be; it's just a nightmare.

"A third post mortem will be carried out. It's unbelievable. We can't move on. I'm very frustrated and angry.

"We are managing to keep upright and we will continue to do that until we lay my son to rest."

It had been reported the former Isle of Sheppey Academy teacher had died following a fall down a ravine on Reunion Island on November 9.

His nearest and dearest were left stunned when, almost a week later, a second post mortem revealed the 33-year-old had been attacked and killed.

The ex-Royal Marine, who lived in Harrier Drive, Sittingbourne, had begun work as a security consultant on the ship Atlantic Trader at the beginning of the month, providing the vessel with protection against piracy.

It has been reported that the Iraq veteran had been drinking with two shipmates in the town of Saint Denis.

He then left the men in search of a taxi back to the port and ship some time before midnight.

His body was found the following day in what appears to be a storm drain by a soldier from a nearby French military base.

He was stabbed in the stomach and violently struck about the head.

A murder hunt was launched after Reunion Island police ruled out theft as a motive as Mr Davies still had his mobile phone and money on him.

Sister Kerrie spoke to Carl just two days before he died. She described him as being on top of the world.

"He told me he was living the dream", she said.

"He said 'I'm in paradise".

• The Facebook group Justice for Carl Davies has more than 7,953 members at the time of going to press.