Heartbroken friends of murdered Glasgow-born backpacker, Danielle McLaughlin, have managed to raise more than £30,000 from generous members of the public to help pay for funeral and repatriation costs.

Ms McLaughlin, 28, was found dead in a secluded spot in Canacona, a popular area for holidaymakers in the southern Indian state of Goa, on Tuesday morning.

Now, though, Christy Duffy, the close friend behind an online fundraiser, confirmed enough has been raised as the Irish woman begins to make her journey back home to her family.

It is expected her remains will travel to Mumbai, Dubai, and then to Dublin.

Mr Duffy, from Buncrana in Ireland, thanked the more than 1,300 people who flooded the GoFundMe page to donate.

READ MORE: Eerie CCTV footage shows Danielle McLaughlin walking with accused killer

In an online statement, he explained how he has not been able to get back to all the messages the page has received, but that “they have been read and have been a great help.”

He added: “Danielle should begin her journey back at around 2pm on Friday 17th and that can take four to six days.

“I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for the donations which have taken additional stress out of the equation.

“The family is holding up as well as can be expected and will be relieved to have her back on home soil.

“God bless.”

The suspect in the killing of Ms McLaughlin is now set to face murder and rape charges, according to Goan police.

A superintendent said a post-mortem examination showed Ms McLaughlin suffered cerebral damage and constriction of the neck which is what caused her death.

Local news outlets reported the former Liverpool John Moores University student was found unclothed and with marks on her head and face.