Young woman murdered, buried in outback remembered as ‘polite, kind-hearted and helpful’

A murder victim has been remembered by family and friends as a ‘polite, kind-hearted and helpful’ girl at a memorial by her shallow grave.

Family and friends of a young woman whose body was found in a shallow grave in the South Australian outback have held a memorial at the site to remember her.

Jasmeen Kaur, 21, was allegedly murdered by a man known to her after last being seen leaving work.

He led detectives to the grave at Moralana Creek, about 40km north of Hawker in the Finders Ranges, last Sunday.

Ms Kaur’s uncle Sam Bhardwaj told reporters that the family held the memorial where her body was found “to show the love.”

Her aunt Ramandeep Kharoud said the family still believed Miss Kaur was “here somewhere” and was watching over the family.

Ms Kharoud spoke with Ms Kaur’s mother, who is back in India, the day before the memorial.

“She was crying and crying, calling her name,” she said.

“She was totally broken.”

The grieving family remembered Ms Kaur as a ‘polite, kind-hearted and helpful’ girl. Picture: Tom Huntley

They planted trees near where she was buried as a way to remember her legacy. Picture: Tom Huntley

Ms Kharoud said the family had “complete faith” the man accused of murdering her niece would be punished.

“There is pain. There is not peace here. But we know that we will get justice here,” she said.

Ramanpreet Kaur remembered her cousin — whose nickname was “Jasoo” — as the cook of the house and the family’s hair stylist who had a “big smile no matter what”.

“She was the most polite, kind-hearted and helpful girl,” Miss Kaur said.

“We are feeling very strange as we never thought in the rarest of dreams this could happen to our Jasoo … (and) she would say goodbye to this world in such a tragic way.

“I’m missing the conversations and the family times we had together.

“We love you, Jasmeen. You have a special place in our hearts and will forever be missed.”

Flowers, teddy bears and candles were laid at a memorial. Picture: Tom Huntley

Family and friend visited the site where her body was buried in the Flinders Ranges. Picture: Tom Huntley

They laid flowers atop of the ‘shallow grave’ where her body was found. Picture: Tom Huntley

The family have pledged to visit the memorial every year to pay tribute to their loved one.

They laid flowers, teddy bears and candles at the grave before prayers were made in Punjabi.

The group planted native plants and trees near where Ms Kaur was buried as a reminder of her legacy.

A wooden tribute was also attached to a nearby tree.

The nursing student’s body was found in a ‘shallow grave’ near Hawker in the Flinders Ranges. Picture: SA police

The young nursing student was last seen leaving her work at Southern Cross Homes at Plympton North about 10pm on March 5.

She was reported missing the following day before major crime detectives interviewed the 20-year-old suspect on March 7.

He then led police to the gravesite, which is almost five hours from the Adelaide CBD.

The man, whose identity remains suppressed, fronted Port Augusta Magistrates Court the day after the body was found.

He was wearing a white gown and had one hand cuffed to a wall during the brief hearing.

The man was initially charged with failing to report a death to the coroner before he was further charged with murder.

The man accused of the murdering Ms Kaur fronted court the day after he led police to the burial site. Picture: Supplied

Police last week revealed what they believed Ms Kaur’s final night looked like, alleging she had likely been kidnapped. Multiple items were missing from her person when her body was found.

Detective Superintendent Des Bray said Ms Kaur‘s missing black shoes and identification were found stuffed in a bin at the Kanyaka Ruins.

Items that police believe were used to restrain Ms Kaur were also located.

Her brown handbag is still missing, and police are searching for a plate and knife associated with the driver of a blue Holden Commodore caught on CCTV.