British teacher's body 'found in desert' as two men are arrested over suspected murder
TWO men have been arrested over the suspected murder of a British teacher who went missing in Qatar, it emerged today.
Lauren Patterson, 24, who has been described as "beautiful and amazing" by friends was last seen at 1.20am on Saturday outside La Cigale hotel in Doha.
Her boyfriend James Grima sparked a major appeal on social networking sites on Sunday after she went missing but hours later claimed that she was dead.
The Qatar Interior Ministry said suspects had been arrested while The Times have reported that the body of Miss Patterson was found in the desert.
Her mother Alison Patterson is believed to have flown to the Arab state to identify a body.
I know she’s in heaven now in her Daddy’s arms
She wrote on Facebook: "Thank you so much to everyone for all their wonderful words about Lauren.
"She was a truly remarkable girl my rock always there for everyone. I know she’s in heaven now in her Daddy’s arms."
Miss Patterson taught at a primary school in Doha and friends claim she had left the nightclub of a five-star hotel with a group of Qatari men.
The teacher had flown back to Doha on Friday after attending her grandmother's funeral.
Friends took to social networking sites to pay tribute to the teacher feared dead.
Friend Lorna Ann Campbell wrote: "I can't get my head around why someone so special has been taken from us.
"She meant the world to us and we will never forget how beautiful she was."
While boyfriend Mr Grima described Miss Patterson as the most "kind, beautiful and amazing woman" he had ever met.
The Foreign Office said they are providing the family of Miss Patterson with consular assistance.