Karen Buckley Murder: Cause Of Death Revealed

The death certificate for Irish student Karen Buckley has been officially issued.

Released by a registrar in Glasgow on Wednesday, it lists the 24-year-old’s cause of death as head and neck injuries.

It has been signed by her mother Marion, 62, and father John, 61, the Scottish Daily Record reports.

Karen Buckley died of head and neck injuries

Alexander Pacteau has been charged with her murder.

The 21-year-old, who is also accused of attempting to defeat the ends of justice, made no plea during a private hearing at Glasgow Sheriff Court last week. He was remanded in custody.

A major police search was launched when 24-year-old Miss Buckley vanished after a night out in Glasgow earlier this month.

Her body was found at High Craigton Farm on the north-western outskirts of the city following a four-day search.

Friends of Miss Buckley raised the alarm on 12 April when she failed to return from a night out at The Sanctuary nightclub in the west end of Glasgow.

The search led police to Dawsholm Park, where Miss Buckley's handbag was found two days later, and a property in the city's Dorchester Avenue, before the farm where the discovery was made.

Ms Buckley moved to Scotland in February and was a first-year occupational therapy student at Glasgow Caledonian University.

Her family, who travelled to Scotland after her disappearance, have said they are ''absolutely heartbroken''.

Her father John described his daughter as an outgoing girl who ''thoroughly enjoyed life''.

He released a statement through Police Scotland which read: ''Marian and I, together with our sons Brendan, Kieran, and Damian, are absolutely heartbroken.

''Karen was our only daughter, cherished by her family and loved by her friends.

''She was an outgoing girl who travelled the world, where she met lots of people and thoroughly enjoyed her life.

''We will miss her terribly.''

Flowers, cards and pictures have been left at the entrance to the farm and at Glasgow Caledonian University in tribute to Miss Buckley.

A vigil will be held in George Square in Glasgow city centre this evening to show support for the family and friends of the student, who was from Cork in the Irish Republic.

People are being encouraged to bring flowers and candles to the event.

The outpouring of support for the family has also raised £50,000 in an online drive organised by her former classmates at Limerick University.

The Go Fund Me page was set up to cover the family's travel and expenses while in Scotland and to support the upkeep of their farm in Cork. It raised more than 10 times the original target amount.