Madalyn Davis, 21, fell from the Diamond Bay cliff tops in Sydney’s eastern suburbs – a notorious spot for tourists taking selfies – early Sunday morning.

In a statement on her Instagram story, Rebecca Smith said their family have since been tormented by ‘abhorrent comments and vile opinions’ posted on her daughter’s social media profiles.

She said the make-up artist, from Lincoln, ‘had the opportunity to live her dream’ while she was travelling.

Paying tribute to her ‘beautiful girl’, Ms Smith wrote: ‘She was an inspiration to many including us as her parents. Her accidental passing has been so sudden and has rocked us to our core.

‘There will forever be a hole in our lives that will never be filled, a hole our family can barely face comprehending.

‘Can we please ask at this most difficult time and in our deepest grief that all speculation and character assassinations cease, if not for us as her mum and dad then for Madalyn’s little brother and sister who are hardly able to process this awful loss.’

The social media statement continued: ‘Being able to read messages of support has given us so much strength, and we want to thank you for these kind words.

‘Sadly, we have also had to read some abhorrent comments and vile opinions on Madalyn’s Instagram profile.

‘We cannot comprehend how at such a traumatic time, a select few can be so heartless and target the most vulnerable suffering such acute emotional pain.’

MORE: UK