13-years on from her murder – Sarah Groves family are still waiting for justice.
In an emotional update shared by her father, the Groves family have expressed their ongoing pain as the trial of the man accused of killing her remains in limbo.
“We know that many people here in Guernsey and elsewhere around the world, remember Sarah with much love and affection,” said Vic Groves.
“In our experience ‘time’ is not ‘the great healer’ that anecdotally it is supposed to be. Quite the contrary.
“The deep love we have for Sarah endures, as does the pervasive heartache that began the moment we lost her.
“We miss her more and more as time goes by.
“The light and love that was our darling Sarah shone too brightly to ever be forgotten.”
Mr Groves and his wife Kate often speak with the local and national media to keep their daughter’s profile high as they push for progress in the trial of the man accused of her murder in Kashmir in April 2013.
However, this year, Mr Groves has asked for privacy as his family marks the 13th anniversary of Miss Groves’ death this weekend.
Ahead of the anniversary, Mr Groves issued a statement offering an update on the situation in Srinagar where a man remains in custody as an “under trial prisoner”
There has been no progress in his trial for five years now.
Miss Groves died on Saturday 6 April 2013.
Her father said this weekend “marks thirteen years since the horrific murder of our cherished daughter, Sarah, on a houseboat in Kashmir, North India”.
Within hours of her body being discovered, Dutchman Richard de Wit was charged with Miss Groves’ murder.
He first went on trial in Srinagar less than two months later, with his first court appearance happening on 3 June 2013.
“Unfortunately, there were countless delays and much incompetence throughout,” recalls Mr Groves.
In July 2021, eight years after the trial had commenced, the case was suspended on the grounds that Richard de Wit was deemed ‘unfit to stand trial’ due to the deterioration in his mental health.
Mr de Wit remains in Srinagar Jail as an ‘under-trial prisoner’.
Mr Groves said he continues to “steadfastly refuse all medication and medical help”.
Despite the lengthy delays and pauses in the trial, Miss Groves’ family remain hopeful that it will resume.
“We have recently learned that efforts are under way in an attempt to restart the trial and, if this happens, we will resume issuing regular media updates as we used to do,” said Mr Groves.
However, he added: “Only four out of forty-six witnesses listed for the prosecution remain to give evidence.”