A two-minute silence was held in the council chambers at Thurrock's civic centre last night in memory of Wickford backpacker Grace Millane.
A murder investigation was launched after the 22-year-old was found dead in New Zealand last week.
Miss Millane is the grand-daughter of former mayor of Thurrock and Chadwell St Mary councillor, Martin Millane who passed away in 2000.
At an extraordinary meeting of the full council, the Thurrock Council chamber fell silent for two minutes as a mark of respect to the Millane family.
READ MORE: Emotional statement from Millane family after Grace's body formally identified
The meeting was called to discuss the Lower Thames Crossing.
A 26-year-old man has been charged with Ms Millane's murder and he was remanded in custody after a court hearing in Auckland on Monday.
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