The parents of a West Meon woman have spoken of their devastation after their daughter was killed by a taxi in New York.
Budding artist Stephanie Dees (26), had moved out to the Big Apple three months ago to start a new life.
But a night out in Manhattan ended in tragedy when she and her American friend Ann Sullivan, also 26, were both killed.
The pair had been o
ut for a meal at a pizza restaurant. They were crossing 14th Street on 1st Avenue, a busy intersection, when they were struck by a taxi at 3.20am on Saturday.
Stephanie was then thrown into the path of another cab and hit for a second time. She was killed instantly.
Her friend, Ann, died later in hospital.
Family and friends of Stephanie, who had just completed a BA Honours degree in fine art at Sheffield University, are struggling to come to terms with her sudden death.
Parents Anthony (62) and Denise (55), from Alton Road in West Meon, described their daughter as a "bubbly, fun-loving girl."
Mrs Dees said: "Stephanie only moved to New York in August and was having a fantastic time.
"She was about to start up her own art school and had already made plenty of friends and had a boyfriend.
"I only spoke to her on the internet on Wednesday and she was her usual happy self.
"Stephanie was adored for her fun personality by everyone who knew her. Her motto was to love life 100 per cent."
Stephanie also leaves a brother Timothy (20) and sister Mallary (23).
Mallary said: "She was a best friend and was someone who was always smiling. She put people at ease and made me think the best of myself."
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