THE devastated aunt of murder victim Meredith Kercher has paid a moving tribute to her niece who she affectionately named "Mez".

Meredith, 21, from South London, was found with her throat cut in her bedroom in Perugia, Italy, on Friday.

The body of the Leeds University student, was found in a house she shared with three other female students close to the centre of Perugia, a town popular with foreign students.

Her aunt Sandra Jennings, of Elm Road, Grays, said she could not understand how anyone would want to hurt her beloved niece.

Tearful Sandra said: "Whoever did this has wrecked several lives as we all loved her. She did not deserve this as she is a quiet, shy person who was reserved and loved life.

"Mez was my niece, a young thoughtful person, kind to everyone, especially her family and friends.

"She will be missed by me and my family and all her relatives.

"Her mother (Sandra's sister, Arline), who suffers renal failure and needs to go on the kidney machine regularly, is absolutely devastated."

Meredith's father John has flown out to Italy to help the police with their investigation.

Sandra added: "I don't know what happened exactly.

"We are still waiting to hear."