The body of Pelin Kaya was flown back to Turkey for burial, the family said Saturday evening, expressing their gratitude for the solidarity shown by the Maltese people after she was killed last Wednesday.

“This evening the body of Pelin will be leaving Malta on board of a flight operated by the Turkish airlines,” the family said in a statement. “Her mother and father are awaiting her arrival, since they were too devastated to travel to Malta. Pelin will be buried in Turkey, where she was born.”

Pelin Kay died early on Wednesday morning after she was hit by a car which then crashed into a Gzira outlet.

The 30-year-old woman was taken to hospital where she succumbed to the injuries sustained. She was killed on her birthday.

The police had first said in a statement that the accident had occurred in Testaferrata Street, Gzira, but it was later established that it had taken place in Msida Road, Gzira. The two streets and localities adjoin each other.

Jeremie Camilleri, 33, of Lija, has been charged with wilful homicide.

In a statement on Saturday, the family thanked the Maltese authorities for their full cooperation so that the body could be transported to Turkey only a few days after Pelin died. Particularly, we thank the Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade and the Government of Malta for their commitment to covering all the funeral expenses , including the transportation.

“We would like to thank our legal team in Malta, Dr Shazoo Ghaznavi and his team, as well as our Turkish advisors at Harmancı & Partners. We thank also the Turkish embassy in Malta and the Maltese Embassy in Turkey for their assistance.

“Yesterday’s vigil at the exact spot where Pelin was last alive was a significant moment for our family and we are grateful for the solidarity showed with us and for all those who offered their help and kind words to us.

“Pelin left Malta dead, but our belief that justice will be done, remains alive. We will fight in Pelin’s name so who interrupted her wonderful life will get what he deserves and can no longer harm anyone else,” the family said.