http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/british-embassy-employee-found-dead-11725275
'I'm lower than an animal': Uber driver's 'words during confession to killing British diplomat, 30, in Beirut'
Rebecca Dykes body was found dumped by a motorway following a sexually motivated attack on Saturday
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Andy Lines
Steve Robson
- 03:10, 20 DEC 2017
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An Uber driver reportedly confessed to killing a British diplomat in Beirut telling police: "I'm lower than an animal"
The body of Rebecca Dykes, 30, was found dumped by a motorway in the east of Lebanon's capital on Saturday.
An Uber driver - identified locally as Tarek Hesso - is said to have confessed to attempting to sexually attack Rebecca before strangling her with a rope.
In an official statement released by the Foreign Office on Monday, the victim's family said: "For Becky to have her life cruelly taken away in these circumstances is devastating to our family.
"Becky is simply irreplaceable and we will never fully recover from this loss."
Rebecca Dykes was found dead in Beirut on Saturday (photograph supplied by family)
Ms Dykes' family said they are "grateful that the investigation is moving at pace" and thanked the authorities for acting "quickly and thoroughly".
"Becky was genuine, generous, and loving, as anyone who knew her would agree. She was intelligent, ambitious, and dedicated to her work," they said.
"Becky had a love of travelling, and was passionate about helping people.
"She always wanted to make the world a better place - her humanitarian work in Beirut was testament to that."
A man has been arrested two days after the body of the "sweet and kind" British embassy worker was found
Last night, reports emerged that Hesso, 35, confessed after being confronted with evidence that he picked up Ms Dykes in his taxi.
During questioning Hesso was asked: “Are you human?”
He responded: “I’m lower than an animal," the Sun reports.
Uber has voiced its horror at claims one of its drivers is the killer.
A spokesman for Uber said in an email: "We are horrified by this senseless act of violence. Our hearts are with the victim and her family.
"We are working with authorities to assist their investigation in any way we can."
Gloves are seen on the ground at the scene where embassy worker Rebecca Dykes was found (Image: REUTERS)
The incident is the latest to highlight the issue of safety at Uber, which was stripped of its operating licence in London in September over concerns about its approach to reporting serious criminal offences and background checks on drivers.
Ms Dykes, who worked at the British Embassy, was found dead close to the Metn expressway.
She had been strangled with a rope, police said.
The Foreign Office confirmed that an arrest had been made.
It is claimed that Ms Dykes had been at a bar with friends and colleagues in the Gemmayzeh area of central Beirut.
She is believed to have left just after midnight.
Ms Dykes was found dead by the side of the road in the east of the capital, several miles away from the bar.
Local police officers traced the alleged killer after his car was picked up on traffic management CCTV cameras.
Preliminary investigations showed the motive was purely criminal, not political, a security source told Reuters.
Devastated friends revealed how Ms Dykes had been due to fly home for Christmas with her family on Saturday.
Her body has been transferred to the Dahr al-Bashak Hospital for a post-mortem, it has been reported.
In a statement, her family said: "We are devastated by the loss of our beloved Rebecca. We are doing all we can to understand what happened.
"We request that the media respect our privacy as we come together as a family at this very difficult time."
Ms Dykes's body was discovered by a motorway in the Lebanese capital (Image: Getty)
A spokesman for the Foreign Office said earlier: "Following the death of a British woman in Beirut, we are providing support to the family. We remain in close contact with local authorities. Our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time."
One friend, Brooke Anderson, wrote on Facebook: "Simply in shock. We will miss you, Becky."
Rebecca Dykes' body is believed to have been transferred to a hospital in Roumieh Village, near Beirut (Image: REUTERS)
One of Ms Dykes's Twitter followers, Kevin Gant, shared a picture alongside the caption: "We Love You, Rebecca, RIP."
Bilal Al Ayoubi tweeted: “Such sad news to hear about the great loss of Rebecca Dykes. She was such a sweet and kind lady who took her job seriously and cared about Lebanon’s stability.”
Rory Kirkwood added: “Rebecca Dykes was a friend, from school and since, but not remotely as close to me as to others. I’m devastated by the news, and can’t imagine the pain some are feeling right now. My thoughts go out to them.”
A file picture of the Metn Expressway in Beirut, along which Ms Dykes's body was found
Josie Ensor, a fellow Brit in Beirut, tweeted: "Beirut has always felt like a very safe place, much safer than London or other big cities I've lived in.
"It's sad to say, but it is important for women not to be complacent, wherever they are or however safe it might feel."
Hugo Shorter, British Ambassador to Lebanon, said in a statement: "The whole embassy is deeply shocked, saddened by this news.
