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Body of British teacher, 24, who went missing in Qatar 'was found in the desert' as two men are arrested over her murder
Lauren Patterson went missing after last seen at Doha hotel on Saturday Believed to have left five-star nightclub with two men, including ex-lover 'She and ex-boyfriend broke up months ago after they discussed marriage' 'Police have not examined CCTV or quizzed staff at hotel where last seen'
By Michael Seamark, Tahira Yaqoob and Simon Tomlinson PUBLISHED: 09:53 GMT, 16 October 2013 | UPDATED: 15:26 GMT, 16 October 2013

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'Murdered': Lauren Patterson, 24, is believed to have been found dead hours after flying back to the Middle East from her grandmother's funeral

The body of a British teacher allegedly murdered in Qatar was found in the desert, it has been claimed. Lauren Patterson, 24, was reportedly last seen with two men, including an ex-boyfriend, at a nightclub

in Qatars capital, Doha, on Saturday night. Her body was later recovered and two men, said to be locals, were arrested over her murder. A friend told The Times that Miss Patterson and her ex-boyfriend broke up several months ago after they had talked about getting engaged. Amid confusing reports, there were suggestions from friends that Miss Patterson had left a nightclub at the five-star hotel La Cigale with a group of Qatari men and had texted friends to say she was being taken to the wrong house. One close friend also posted a message on Twitter saying: Lauren was raped and brutally murdered.' However, the duty manager of La Cigale claimed police have not asked to examine CCTV footage or question staff at the hotel. George Forzi told MailOnline: 'I don't know anything about this story. 'I have not seen police at all, at any time. They have not asked me to see the CCTV.' Sources have now told The Times that she was found in the desert. Doha police said they could not confirm whether Miss Patterson had died, what had happened to her or the progress of their investigation. Miss Patterson is believed to have been killed hours after flying back to the Middle East from her grandmothers funeral. News of her disappearance had prompted her family and friends to launch a frantic campaign on Facebook and other social media to find her. But 40 hours later her boyfriend, James Grima, posted a message saying she was dead. It was followed by dozens of tributes praising a truly amazing young woman. Miss Pattersons Kent-based mother, Alison, has reportedly flown to Qatar to formally identify her body. In an online tribute, she wrote: She was truly a remarkable girl, my rock, always there for everyone. I know shes in heaven now in her Daddys arms. Miss Paterson had flown back to the Middle East on Friday and was a primary teacher at Newton British School in Doha.

Mystery: The primary school teacher (pictured with friends) was reportedly last seen at a nightclub in the capital, Doha, with two Qatari men, one of whom was an ex-boyfriend

Probe: Sources claim police have found Lauren's body and were able to identify her from a distinctive tattoo

Inhospitable: A sign advertising the 2022 FIFA World Cup pictured in the Qatar desert, where Miss Patterson's body is believed to have been found, although the exact location has not been revealed

On Sunday, her boyfriend Mr Grima, an IT technician and DJ based in Malta, posted an appeal to track her down after becoming concerned about her disappearance. The alert went viral as hundreds joined the search before it emerged Miss Patterson had been found dead. Friends paid tribute on Facebook. Emma Nye said: What an incredible best friend. Cant handle the hurt in my heart. 'I love you so much. Will never forget all the hilarious memories we have. Be good up there! Miss Patterson, who flew back from her grandmothers funeral on Friday, was a primary teacher at Newton British School in Doha. Her mother, a widow, lives with Lauren's younger brother and sister in Kent.

'A truly remarkable girl': Lauren (pictured with two unidentified children), originally from Chislehurst in south east London, was working at the Newton British School in the Qatari capital

'WE WILL NEVER FORGET HOW BEAUTIFUL SHE WAS': TRIBUTES POUR IN FOR LAUREN
Friend Emma Nye said: 'What an incredible best friend. Lauren Patterson you devious child. Can't handle the hurt in my heart. I love you so much. Will never forget all the hilarious memories we have. Be good up there! Love you 333 333 333.' Another friend, Miranda Cecil, posted a picture on Facebook of Lauren in a Panda onesie, with the message: 'This was only a week ago and she put it on Instagram and tagged me in it. Oh my baby girl!!! X' Lauren's younger sister uploaded a picture of them together and said 'thank you' to those sending

messages of sympathy. Friend Lorna Ann Campbell paid tribute, saying: 'I can't get my head around why someone so special has been taken from us. She meant the world to us and we will never forget how beautiful she was. ' Lauren Davey said: 'My dear friend has been taken from her family and friends Lauren Patterson I love u soooo much and will never ever forget u. U was taken from us to soon but u can now be with ur daddy. Xxx' Her sister uploaded a picture of her with Miss Patterson on Facebook and said 'thank you' to those sending messages of sympathy. They had moved back to Britain only recently, after living in Luxembourg for seven years. On Sunday, Miss Pattersons boyfriend Mr Grima, an IT technician and DJ based in Malta, posted an appeal to track her down after becoming concerned about her whereabouts. On Facebook, he said: I cant believe that it had to end this way Lauren, I really dont. I was so happy that I had finally found someone that could change my life so much, and in such a positive way too... Rest In Peace babe ... I will always look up at the sky cause you always were the brightest star and always will be. Mr Grima added: 'I love you so much babe, I really do and I cant get over the fact that you were taken away so cruelly, it really breaks my heart to think about it. 'I know youre watching over us, wherever you are, and I know that I will meet you again one day.' The Foreign Office said it was aware of reports that a body had been discovered but were unable to comment further. A spokesman said: We are aware of a British national, Lauren Patterson, reported missing in Qatar.

'You were the brightest star and always will be': Grieving boyfriend James Grima took to Facebook to confirm that Lauren had died

Tragedy: Lauren with boyfriend James Grima, who had posted an appeal on Facebook after she went missing

Sad time: Lauren had just returned to Doha from the UK last Friday where she had attended the funeral of her grandmother (pictured)

We are providing the family with consular assistance. Qatar, which will host the World Cup in 2022, is considered to be one of the safest spots in the Middle East for expatriates. But last November an American pre-school teacher, 40-year-old Jennifer Brown, was allegedly killed there by a Kenyan security guard. He will face trial next month and could be given the death penalty if convicted.

Clues: Friends suggested that Miss Patterson had left the nightclub at five-star hotel La Cigale (pictured) with a group of Qatari men and had texted friends to say she was being taken to the wrong house

Popular destination for British expats: The primary school teacher disappeared in the early hours on Saturday in the Qatari capital of Doha (above)

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Comments (21)
Share what you think Newest Oldest Best rated Worst rated View all Report comment phil48, devon, 5 hours ago if these men are found guilty under Qatari law then full Sharia Law must be implemented and that is death and if there was real justice it would be in the same way they killed this girl.

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Report comment Ian, Glasgow, 6 hours ago If it was locals, there will be no justice, it will all just bumble along and nothing will ever happen. Same with the villagio fire that killed all the kids, local owners so just ignore it for long enough and it will go away.

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Report comment Oneortwo, Over the Rainbow, United Kingdom, 6 hours ago If they have the right two and it can be proven then I hope they face the ultimate penalty for this crime.

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Report comment Spark, Newport, 6 hours ago Let's see how the perps are treated under Sharia Law.

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Report comment Adam, Cheltenham, United Kingdom, 6 hours ago Hope they've caught whoever did this.

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Report comment dotdotdot, toronto, Canada, 6 hours ago (A)Good pay temptation on a (B)dangerous country. What's your answer ?

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Report comment Mr Inflammatory, London, 6 hours ago Qatar has 0.9 murders per 100,000 inhabitants (same as Italy, Denmark and New Zealand), the UK has 1.2 murders per 100,000. Jamaica, 40.9, Bahamas 27.4 (Source: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime). This poor woman was incredibly unlucky.

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Report comment ShipsOfficer, Expatriate, United Kingdom, 7 hours ago Very sad. Behind the 5 star hotels and modern feeling is a very dangerous undercurrent for lone expat women. We live in a

neighbouring country and remember that always. Sadly nobody tells that to the newbies when recruiting them.

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Report comment Tony Grimes, Bristol, 7 hours ago Like all Gulf states, a very dangerous place for any woman

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Report comment Hello there, Balamory, United Kingdom, 7 hours ago How could anyone do this? Rest in peace x

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