Family of Shanae Edwards reveal their heartbreak over her ‘senseless’ murder

The murder of 31-year-old teacher Shanae Brooke Edwards in Georgia has sparked a major campaign to fly her body back to Australia.

Shanae Brooke Edwards was brutally murdered in Tbilisi.

People across the world have come together to help bring home murdered Melbourne woman Shanae Brooke Edwards.

An online fundraiser was launched on Thursday to help repatriate the 31-year-old’s body from Tbilisi, the capital city of Georgia.

By late Friday, the GoFund Me had already amassed $17,750.

Stephanie Scott, who started the fundraiser, said Ms Edwards “brought light and laughter to all around her” and her family were in great pain. “(Shanae) extended generosity, patience, love and kindness to all who crossed her path,” she wrote.

“To name a few: the homeless she shared cafe leftovers with at her shifts end in Melbourne, the orphan children she taught in Columbia, the Cambodian children she taught English, the Japanese students she tutored, and most recently the pregnant stray cat that ‘adopted Shanae’ and decided to become a mother on her terrace in Georgia.”

Shanae Brooke Edwards.

Shanae with her brother, Tyson Edwards.

Ms Scott said the pandemic had created significant challenges for the grieving Edwards family and that the fundraiser would also assist with travel and funeral arrangements.

“As we are sure you can imagine, a situation like this is unthinkable to deal with, let alone in the midst of a pandemic. Unable to be together or travel due to border closures and government restrictions, Shanae’s loved ones are having to process this from different corners of the world,” she said.

Ms Edwards was murdered while hiking Mount Mtatsminda alone on July 30.

She was heard on the phone screaming “Take your hands off me” before the line cut out. Her body was found the next day, and her killer remains at large.

Her heartbroken family spoke of their grief at losing the “free flying beautiful butterfly” as the hunt for her killer stretches into its third week.

Tyson Edwards said his sister was a gift to the world and his family was completely devastated by her “senseless” murder in Tbilisi, the capital city of Georgia, in eastern Europe.

“We are devastated, our hearts shattered at the senseless loss of our beautiful Shanae,” he said.

The investigation into her murder has been kept under wraps by Georgian authorities amid a barrage of criticism that they failed to respond swiftly to reports she was heard on the phone screaming “take your hands off me” as she tried to fend off her killer.

Local police only began searching the mountain for her about 1pm the following day, creating a 20-hour window for her killer to destroy crucial evidence and disappear.

Ms Edwards’ family has opened up about their heartache, describing her as tough, resilient and fearless.

“Shanae was so happy, kind and caring. An uplifting, adventurous soul who dearly loved her many friends, and they loved her back,” the family said.

“She laughed out loud, loved to learn, loved to discover and loved the outdoors. She was nature’s gift to those less fortunate. She truly made the most of her short time. She knew how to live life.”

They said her priorities were “in people, genuine connections, helping others, personal growth, pursuing self-fulfilment, loving fully and doing the right thing”.

Ms Edwards, who previously lived in Warrnambool and inner Melbourne, spent her life travelling the world and volunteering to help the homeless and disadvantage youths.

Her friends and Tbilisi locals launched the search for her after news of her panicked phone call spread.

Shanae Brooke Edwards as a child (right) with her family.

Local police joined the following afternoon when the grim discovery was made.

Ms Edwards’ family thanked those who helped in the search, saying they “hold no hard feelings” toward the people of Georgia.

“To Shanae’s loyal friends in Tbilisi, who so quickly raised the alarm and co-ordinated a tireless search effort, rallying volunteers and police in an effort to find our sweet girl — we are so deeply grateful and indebted. Thank you one and all,” the family said.

“We have seen first-hand the tears, sorrow and sense of responsibility felt by the Georgian people, and to them our family holds no hard feelings. Shanae was happy and where she wanted to be.”

Ms Edwards’ cousin Tracey Barclay said she had a “big heart” and “beautiful nature” and it was hard to accept she was no longer alive.

“Her life was taken way too soon. She still had so much life to live, adventures to be had,” Ms Barclay said.

The investigation continues.