A WOMAN who was raped and killed while travelling and volunteering in Southern Africa has been remembered as an “adventurous soul” who “lived for life”.
20-year-old Elly Warren was backpacking in Mozambique for three months where she spent her time with a diving group and as a volunteer, teaching African children how to swim.
Ms Warren’s devastated parents were today struggling to comprehend the horrific tragedy.
Her stepfather David Cafarella described her passion for life and animals as infectious.
“She’s just an absolute go getter, she came back from her last trip in South America and worked five jobs, 16 hours a day, she would sleep in her car in between shifts and raised $16,000 ... She booked her trip and went,” Mr Caferella told the Herald Sun.
Elly Warren was an avid traveller.Elly’s father Paul. Picture : Ian Currie
“Elly was just such a determined person and loved travelling by herself ... You’d always worry about her.”
Mr Caferella said he and Ms Warren’s mother, Nicole, tried to talk her out of going to Mozambique but said she was determined to go.
“She was head strong on going ... When she made a decision on doing something she would do it,” he said.
“She was there for 12 weeks, we were talking to her and she was saying it was completely safe. I had a big chat with her just a week ago and that was it ... That was the last time I spoke to her.”
Elly Warren with a picture of her enjoying her time in Mozambique. Picture : Ian Currie
Ms Warren was due home from Mozambique on Monday before jetting off to New Zealand with her boyfriend.
“We were meant to pick her up on Monday where she’d be back here for a few days before going to New Zealand for a couple of weeks,” Mr Caferella said.
“She was meant to come back and spend Christmas at home before getting ready to start her university degree.”
Ms Warren was set to follow her passion with animals and study marine biology at James Cook University in Queensland.
“She was going to start her four year degree in the new year, she took her gap year did all her travelling ... Then this happened,” he said.
“I dropped her at the airport before she left, gave her a hug and kiss, I told her to be safe, she promised me she would ... That’s was it.”
Elly Warren was making the most of life.Melbourne girl killed in Mozambique, Elly Warren.
Mr Caferella said describing her stepdaughters passion for animals was beyond words.
“It was always animals, she loved helping them and saving them, that’s all she loved doing,” he said.
The exact circumstances surrounding Ms Warren’s death are not yet known but Mr Caferella said there was a period where no one knew where she was.
“From what we know, she was with a group of people, they went to a market then to a private residence,” he said.
“What we’re unclear about is whether she left by herself or the others left without her but somewhere between her being with the group something has happened.”
He said his stepdaughters body was found in a toilet block.
“The most frustrating part is that we just don’t know what happened.”
Elly’s family have been left devastated.
Mrs Caferella was too distraught to speak with the Herald Sun today.
Ms Warren’s boyfriend, Luke Tempany, said she would be deeply missed by everyone, especially her little brother Sam.
“I want her to be remembered for her love of the oceans, whales, sharks and all living animals,” Mr Tempany said.
“She had such a beautiful heart that wanted to travel the world diving all the waters, exploring caves and swimming with all different fish.”
Elly’s sister, Kristy Warren, described on Facebook the moment her family learned of the 20-year-old’s death.
“My mum got a phone call from one of the backpackers saying to her that her daughter has been murdered, as I heard that my heart dropped,” she wrote.
“It is a parents’ nightmare to get a phone call like this.”
“You where my blood sister and now your (sic) gone. Words can’t even begin to describe to you.”
Ms Warren’s dad also took to Facebook to express his grief.
“My lovely daughter ... passed away yesterday when overseas. I loved her dearly and I will miss her so much,” he wrote.
“She is now with God.”
Melbourne girl murdered in Mozambique, Elly Warren.
Devastated friends across Melbourne also paid tribute to the adventurous young woman who they say lived life to the full.
“This girl had done more than people in their 50s ... gone but never forgotten,” one friend wrote on social media.
“Everyone please stay safe while travelling overseas.”
Another friend described the 20-year-old has an “angel” with a “heart of gold”.
Another posted: “You were really one of a kind, such a lovely soul”.
Her friends flooded her Facebook page with tributes to the young woman.
“Taken way too soon, a gorgeous girl who had an amazing life ahead,” a friend wrote.
A fishing boat on a beach in Mozambique. Picture: Getty.A map of Mozambique, Africa. Picture: Google Maps.
Another wrote: “I really am lost for words, you were unbelievable you had the strength and the courage to do everything and anything you ever wanted to do, your drive and your passion to live life to its fullest was really inspiring to so many people,
“I’ll miss your laugh, I’ll miss hearing about all the trouble you got yourself into, I’ll miss waking up to a detailed message about what your next plan was, even if we both knew that it was almost impossible, but that really didn’t matter for you,
“The impossible always became possible in anything you set your mind (sic) too, my heart goes out to your family and all of your friends, you truly are an amazing girl, I’ll forever treasure our memories, RIP.”
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been contacted for comment.
Elly Warren was an avid traveller.
Elly’s father Paul. Picture : Ian Currie
Elly Warren with a picture of her enjoying her time in Mozambique. Picture : Ian Currie
Elly Warren was making the most of life.
Melbourne girl killed in Mozambique, Elly Warren. 
Elly’s family have been left devastated.
Melbourne girl murdered in Mozambique, Elly Warren.
A fishing boat on a beach in Mozambique. Picture: Getty.
A map of Mozambique, Africa. Picture: Google Maps.
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