Diabetic who survived Manchester arena terror dies - and heartbreak kills grandma

Diabetic Zara Ahmed, 18, died in her sleep after falling ill in her halls of residence at Liverpool John Moores University last week. 

Her parents Kadeem and Asefa said being diabetic never prevented her from “embracing life and everything that went with it”. 

They wrote in a tribute to their daughter and her grandmother: “Your grandma made sure she did not let you go alone and also joined you less than an hour later to hold your hand to heaven.” 

They asked that “courageous, kind, considerate and bubbly” Zara be remembered with a smile. 

“We all love you so much,” they said. 

Forensic science student Zara, of Kinmel Bay, North Wales, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes before her first birthday and began daily insulin injections and a strict diet. 

After escaping the terror attack at the Ariana Grande concert in May, Zara “held on to her faith and never hid it” and in September she started her first year at university. 

Cousin Maria Khalid wrote on Facebook: “I can’t accept you are no longer with us all, however forever in hearts. 

“You were such a happy, caring, loving, wild, chirpy, sassy, beautiful and intelligent young girl. Allah gifted you to us all and he took you back at a tender age of 18 years old.”

She added: “I am sorry for all the boring lectures, sorry if I ever shouted at you as your health was always important to us all.” 

Former head teacher Lee Cummins, from Emrys ap Iwan school, called Zara “an exceptional young lady” who always had a smile on her face. 

Lawrence Wood, principal of Llandrillo College, where she studied before university, said Zara was one of their “most enthusiastic and inspirational” students, who showed great promise. 

A John Moores university spokesman said: “All of her programme team and fellow students are deeply saddened by this tragic loss and our thoughts are with Zara’s family.”