The parents of an academic found stabbed to death in her flat last night spoke of their grief as they prepared to lay her to rest today.

The death of Dr Barbara Johnston, shocked the city after she was discovered with 49 stab wounds in her flat in Woodstock Close in January.

The 45-year-old academic had returned to Oxford from New Zealand only five months before she died.

Her parents, Captain Anthony Johnston, 81 and Valerie Johnston, 79, of Bloxwich in the west Midlands will be joined at a funeral this afternoon by friends, family and Oxfordshire police who carried out the inquiry into her death.

Capt Johnston told the Oxford Mail: "The grief has become inescapable. It's total grief and indescribable. But we've been supported by family and many friends of Barbara have shown their support so strongly.

"Barbara was a very loving, devoted daughter. A person of talents who, medically speaking, the world is recognising, very bright and touched the lives of many people she's been in contact with."

The academic gained a doctorate at Somerville College at Oxford University and worked at the Nuffield Institute 23 years ago.

She moved to New Zealand to work at the University of Auckland as a researcher into child respiratory problems, cot death and neo-natal studies.

But five months after moving back to Oxford in September last year she was found dead in her flat.

Her mother Valerie said her daughter chose to move back to Oxford to be closer to friends and family and was looking at a range of possibilities, including property management.

She added: "We've been suffering all the time since. But we've been greatly helped by the support we've had from so many people.

"The funeral will be a difficult day but we are going to remember Barbara's life and give thanks for her. We would rather look on the positive side of things than the sad things," she added.

A fellowship is to be set up at the University of Auckland in tribute of Dr Johnston.

The Barbara Johnston Memorial Fund has also been set up at two of her former schools in Bloxwich to reward talented and outstanding students.

The funeral service takes place at All Saints Church, High Street in Bloxwich from 1.30pm and the list of hymns includes Lift Up Your Hearts, For the Beauty of the Heart and Jesus Lives.

Acting Det Supt Steve Tolmie and other Oxfordshire police behind the murder probe will pay their respects.

Soldiers from The Staffordshire Regiment will sound the Reveille at the burial.

Donations can be made to the Barbara Johnston Memorial Fund at Roy Quinton Funeral Directors, 677 Bloxwich Road, Walsall WS3 2BD or by ringing (01922) 496800.

Michael Humphries, 42, of Ferndale Street, Faringdon, has been remanded in custody charged with Dr Johnston's murder.