The British man confirmed as one of those killed in a New Year’s Day vehicle attack in New Orleans has been named as the stepson of Prince William and Prince Harry‘s former nanny, Tiggy Legge-Bourke, it has emerged.
Edward Pettifer, 31, from Chelsea, was confirmed by the Metropolitan Police to have been killed in the attack on Bourbon Street.
The 31-year-old was the eldest son of Charles Pettifer, a former Coldstream Guards officer, and his former wife Camilla Wyatt, the daughter of a racehorse breeder. They separated in the 1990s.
Mr Pettifer is now married to Tiggy Legge-Bourke, who used to look after the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex from 1993 until 1999. The couple got married in 1999, and both princes attended the wedding.
King Charles is said to have been informed and was deeply saddened by the tragic news. He has been in touch with the family to share personal condolences.
Mr Pettifer’s family said in a statement: « The entire family are devastated at the tragic news of Ed’s death in New Orleans. He was a wonderful son, brother, grandson, nephew and a friend to so many.
« We will all miss him terribly. Our thoughts are with the other families who have lost their family members due to this terrible attack.
« We request that we can grieve the loss of Ed as a family in private. Thank you. »
The New Orleans coroner gave Mr Pettifer’s preliminary cause of death as « blunt force injuries ».
Met Police said family liaison officers are supporting Mr Pettifer’s family and helping them through the process of returning his body to the UK.
The Foreign Office also said it was supporting the victim’s family and was in contact with US authorities.
Authorities have confirmed at least 14 people died and least 35 others were injured when a man in a pick-up truck ploughed through crowds before he was gunned down by police.
The attack took place in the city’s popular French Quarter at around 3.15am local time on New Year’s Day.
The suspect, identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, allegedly drove through crowds before getting out of the vehicle and firing a gun before being shot by police.
The FBI confirmed an Islamic State flag was found inside the vehicle and explosive devices were found nearby. It is believed he acted alone.
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