The Prince of Wales has said he is shocked and saddened by the death of his former nanny’s stepson in the New Years Day truck attack in New Orleans.
Edward Pettifer, 31, was one of 14 people killed when a pickup truck was driven through a crowd in the early hours of New Year’s Day.
In a statement posted on Instagram, Prince William said: “Catherine and I have been shocked and saddened by the tragic death of Ed Pettifer.
“Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Pettifer family and all those innocent people who have been tragically impacted by this horrific attack.”
It is understood King Charles has been in touch with Pettifer’s family to share personal condolences after being informed of the news through official channels.
Pettifer, from Chelsea, west London, was the stepson of Alexandra Pettifer, formerly known as Tiggy Legge-Bourke and who was the nanny for William and Harry from 1993-99, including during the time of their mother Diana’s death.
The New Orleans coroner gave Pettifer’s preliminary cause of death as “blunt force injuries”.
Pettifer’s family issued a statement through the Metropolitan police, who confirmed his death. They said: “The entire family are devastated at the tragic news of Ed’s death in New Orleans. He was a wonderful son, brother, grandson, nephew and a friend to so many.
“We will all miss him terribly. Our thoughts are with the other families who have lost their family members due to this terrible attack. We request that we can grieve the loss of Ed as a family in private. Thank you.”
The Foreign Office said it was supporting the victim’s family and was in contact with US authorities.
Pettifer was the eldest son of Charles Pettifer and Camilla Wyatt, the Telegraph reported. They separated in the mid-1990s, and Pettifer went on to marry Legge-Bourke, the paper said. They had two sons, who are godsons of William and Harry.
The foreign secretary, David Lammy, said on Saturday: “Extremely saddened to hear the tragic news that a British man was among those killed during the attack in New Orleans. We are supporting their family and are united with the US against terror threats.”
Fourteen people died and at least 35 others were injured when the suspect, identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, allegedly ploughed a pickup truck through crowds of revellers celebrating the new year.
The 42-year-old Texan allegedly got out of the vehicle and fired a gun before being shot by police.
The FBI said it was investigating the incident as a terror attack. Law enforcement and intelligence agencies were concerned about the potential of a copycat attack.
A bulletin seen by Reuters showed that the FBI, the Department for Homeland Security, and the US National Counterterrorism Center believed they were “likely to remain attractive for aspiring assailants”.
The Met police said family liaison officers were supporting Pettifer’s family and helping them through the process of returning his body to the UK.
The New Orleans mayor, LaToya Cantrell, said at a press conference that the victims and their families “matter” to the entire city. “Our hearts and prayers continue to go out to the victim’s families,” she said.
The New Orleans coroner said one of those killed remained unidentified, with the others coming from the US, the youngest aged 18 and the oldest 63.
It is believed the suspect acted alone. The FBI confirmed that an Islamic State flag was found inside the vehicle and explosive devices were found nearby.
Law enforcement officials told the Associated Press news agency bomb-making materials were found at Jabbar’s home when it was searched after the attack. He had booked the rental of the pickup truck on 14 November.
Earlier this week, the US president, Joe Biden, said the attacker posted a video that indicated he was inspired by Islamic State.
Condemnation of the terrorist incident came from countries including Britain, France, Germany and Mexico.
The British prime minister, Keir Starmer, said on Wednesday: “The shockingly violent attack in New Orleans is horrific. My thoughts are with the victims, their families, the emergency responders and the people of the United States at this tragic time.”
The New Orleans coroner’s office released the names of all but one of those killed in the attack.
They are: Drew Dauphin, 26, of Montgomery, Alabama; Kareem Badawi, 18, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Brandon Taylor, 43, of Harvey, Louisiana; Hubert Gauthreaux, 21, of Gretna, Louisiana; Matthew Tenedorio, 25, of Picayune, Mississippi; Nikyra Dedeaux, 18, of Gulfport, Mississippi; Nicole Perez, 27, of Metairie, Louisiana; Reggie Hunter, 37, of Prairieville, Louisiana; Martin “Tiger” Bech, 27, originally of Lafayette, Louisiana, and a resident of New York City; Terrence Kennedy, 63, of New Orleans; Elliot Wilkinson, 40, of Slidell, Louisiana; William DiMaio, 25, of Holmdel, New Jersey.
