THE mother of murdered York backpacker Caroline Stuttle is to marry the man she says saved her life.

Marjorie Stuttle, 55, said the support of soulmate David Marks stopped her from taking her own life in the aftermath of Caroline's death.

By a twist of fate, the couple had their first date on the day Caroline was murdered, and Marjorie's final text message from her daughter read: "Have a nice time with David".

"David has been my strength to go on," said Marjorie, who met David through a mutual friend.

"Without him I don't think I would still be here. I didn't really want to live at the time.

"Our marriage is a bit of good news out of the tragedy."

Caroline, 19, from Huntington Road, York, a former York College student, was murdered while on a gap year backpacking trip, in Bundaberg, Australia.

Ian Douglas Previte, 31, has been charged with Caroline's murder and is awaiting trial.

Marjorie, of Pocklington, set up Caroline's Rainbow Foundation in her daughter's memory to help young travellers abroad.

She said David was among those who arrived at her house in the hours immediately after the police broke the terrible news.

He quietly adopted the role of "middleman", fielding calls from the Foreign Office and fetching Caroline's brother from the airport.

David, 57, who said the couple planned to marry in August or September, told the Evening Press: "I think we knew from the moment we met that we were meant to be together.

"We met at nearly exactly the same time as Caroline died and we've not been apart since.

"She means the world to me. It hasn't been easy - starting the foundation has helped Marjorie get through."

Meanwhile, Caroline's father, artist Alan Stuttle, has revealed he plans to resettle in New Zealand and open an art gallery there.

Mr Stuttle, 65, travelled to the country after closing his studio in Micklegate, York, after 33 years.

He was inspired by the adventurous spirit of Caroline, to sell the premises and use the proceeds to travel to New Zealand, as she had always planned to go there with her brother Richard.

Updated: 10:39 Monday, April 05, 2004