Prince William expressed shock and sadness Saturday at the news of the death of his former nanny's stepson in a New Year's Day truck attack in New Orleans that killed 14 people and injured dozens.
London's Metropolitan Police confirmed on Saturday that it was supporting the family of 31-year-old Edward Pettifer, also helping them with the process of transporting the body to the UK. Pettifer was from west London.
In a statement on social media, the Prince of Wales said he and his wife Catherine “were shocked and saddened by the tragic death of Ed Pettifer. “Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Pettifer family and all the innocent people who have been tragically harmed.” affected by this terrible attack.”
Pettifer was the stepson of Tiggy Legge-Bourke, who was the nanny of both William and his brother, Prince Harry, from 1993 to 1999, which included the period after the death of their mother, Princess Diana, in 1997. Legge-Bourke, who is also known as Alexandra Pettifer was regularly photographed with Diana.
British media also reported that King Charles was deeply saddened by the news and that he had sent his condolences to Pettifer's family.
In a statement, Pettifer's family said they were “devastated by the tragic news of Ed's death” and described him as “a wonderful son, brother, grandson, nephew and friend to many.”
“We will all miss him terribly. Our thoughts are with other families who have lost family members as a result of this terrible attack,” the family added.
The British Foreign Office also said it was supporting Pettifer's family and was in contact with US authorities.
Authorities say the explosion killed 14 people and injured about 30 attack on Wednesday Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a former US Army soldier who, hours before the attack, posted several videos on his Facebook in which he announced the violence he would unleash and announced his support for the Islamic State militant group. The coroner's office listed the cause of death for all 14 victims as “blunt force trauma.”
Jabbar, 42, was fatally shot in a shootout with police at the scene of a fatal crash on Bourbon Street, known around the world for its festive atmosphere in New Orleans' historic French Quarter.