AN Abergavenny mother has spoken of her grief after her son was shot dead in south America.

Ben Samphire, 31, was gunned down after apparently being mistaken for a thief while in Ecuador volunteering on a primate conservation research project. Police are hunting the PhD graduate's killer.

Mr Samphire travelled to the area to study a rare species of monkey after completing his PhD at University College London's Institute of Archaeology last March.

His mum Elizabeth said, "Our beloved Ben was away in Ecuador volunteering on a primate conservation research project when he was tragically shot and killed.

"We have no confirmed details on why or how this happened. Ben was a fascinating, inspiring, clever, kind and loving son, partner, brother and uncle. Our lives will never be the same without him."