And today, a man has appeared in court charged with murdering Karen who went missing in the early hours of last Sunday morning.
Alexander Pacteau, 21, made no plea or declaration and remanded in custody following the gearing at Glasgow Sheriff Court. Pacteau, from Glasgow, is also accused of attempting to defeat the ends of justice.
Karen, 24, from Cork in Ireland, was studying at Glasgow Caledonian University and had moved to the city in February. She was reported missing after she disappeared following a night out in Glasgow’s west end.
CCTV saw her leaving the Sanctuary nightclub with a man in the early hours of the morning. Her friends raised the alarm when she failed to return home. The remains of her body were found after a huge police search.
Speaking yesterday, Detective Superintendent Jim Kerr said: “We cannot imagine the pain and suffering of Karen's family and friends and our thoughts are with them at this very sad and distressing time.”
Kerr also read a statement on behalf of Karen's father John.
“Marian and I, together with our sons Brendan, Kieran and Damian, are absolutely heartbroken,” he read.
“Karen was our only daughter, cherished by our family and loved by her friends. She was an outgoing girl who travelled the world where she met lots of people and thoroughly enjoyed her life. We will miss her terribly. We would be very grateful if we could now be left alone to grieve with her family and friends.”
Pacteau will appear in court again next week.