David Millane was diagnosed with cancer after his daughter’s killer was sentenced in February of this year – he died earlier this week in the family hometown of Wickford

David Millane speaking in Auckland in 2018 when his daughter was missing (Image)

The dad of murdered backpacker Grace Millane has died of cancer in his hometown.

David Millane was diagnosed with the disease following the sentencing of his daughter’s killer in Auckland, New Zealand in February.

David died in hometown of Wickford earlier this week, it is reported.

His wife Gillian and sons Declan and Michael are mourning their loss nearly two years after his daughter Grace was killed in a hotel in Auckland.

Detective Inspector Scott Beard released a statement expressing sympathy for the family.

“The Millane family had their lives turned upside down when David’s much loved and cherished daughter Grace was murdered while visiting New Zealand in December 2018,” he said.

“Our thoughts and sympathies are with Gillian, Michael, Declan and the rest of their whanau (family).”

Grace was strangled to death by her Tinder date on December 1 2018, the day before she would have turned 22.