Family pays tribute to British tour guide killed in Lapland stabbing
Tributes have been paid to a British tour guide who was stabbed to death in Lapland.
Tributes have been paid to a British tour guide who was stabbed to death in Lapland.
The victim was named locally as Rebecca Johnson, 26, from Burntisland in Fife.
Her body was discovered in the Finnish village of Kuttanen on Saturday.
She was a member of the Santa Safari team which works with Oxford-based tour operator Transun Travel to organise Christmas-themed excursions to Lapland.
Speaking to a newspaper, Ms Johnson's great-aunt Val Laing, who stays in Burntisland, said her great-niece would be greatly missed.
She said: "Rebecca was a beautiful girl.
"I had come home from Edinburgh when her grandad was on the phone to tell me what had happened. I couldn't take it in at first.
"For her parents and grandparents to lose her just before Christmas is devastating. I'll be there for them but I don't know how they are going to cope."
It is understood Ms Johnson's parents have travelled to Lapland.
Her 36-year-old Czech boyfriend has been arrested and is in police custody on suspicion of the killing following a police manhunt in Arctic conditions in temperatures of minus 30C (minus 22F).
A statement from the Lapland Police Department said: "Police are continuing their investigations into the homicide in the village of Kuttanen, by Enontekio, in Finland.
"A 26-year-old British citizen has died as a result of the incident.
"Following a manhunt, a 36-year-old Czech man was detained as a suspect. Police are recommending he'd be imprisoned and formally charged with murder on Wednesday December 7."
A spokeswoman for Santa Safari said on Monday: "We are deeply saddened to confirm that a member of the Santa Safari team was discovered dead on December 3.
"We are all in shock from this tragic news and our thoughts go out to her family.
"Our team is working closely with the Finnish police and relevant authorities to support the investigation that is now under way.
"It goes without saying that we will do everything we can to support the family and our staff at this incredibly difficult time."
A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokeswoman said: "We are supporting the family of a British national who died in Finland on December 3."
Police Scotland confirmed they have been contacted by the FCO regarding the incident and are assisting them as required.
Billy Allen, the owner of Bonzos The Dog Shop in Kirkcaldy, used to help Ms Johnson purchase dog equipment for expedition work.
Speaking to the Press Association, Mr Allen said: "She used to come round and see my dogs and bring her mum round and her sister and that kind of thing. And we helped her get her first dog.
"I heard that she was going out there Finland to do her thing and live her dream. That was what she always wanted to do."
In a post on the dog shop's Facebook page Mr Allen said that the incident was "very sad news".
He added: "Becky used to come to our kennels a lot in the early years. We helped her get into sled dogs. She was very keen and I'm sure would've filled her life with dogs.
"She latterly got into racing and then set up a good little business selling mushing equipment.
"Her trip to Finland should have been the happiest days of her life... It was what she always talked of doing.
"We have fond memories of Becky babysitting our dogs whilst we got married."