More than a decade on from the tragic murder of British student Meredith Kercher in Italy, her father has died in what the police describe as “unexplained” circumstances.

John Kercher, 77, was found on the pavement, yards away from his home in Croydon, South London, three weeks ago.

He was taken to hospital with major injuries, including a broken leg and arm, and memory loss. He died in that same hospital on Saturday.

His death reminds the nation of the murder that occurred in the Italian city of Perugia, in 2007. Meredith was found in the apartment she was living in as an exchange student, with a slit throat and had been sexually assaulted. Her American roommate Amanda Knox and Knox’s Italian boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito were convicted of murder but later cleared on appeal.

The family said in a statement to The Sun newspaper: “We loved him dearly and he is going to be very sorely missed.”

Police are asking anyone who witnessed the accident or has further information to contact them. Detective Sergeant Steve Andrews, of the Met’s South Area Command Unit, said “Please make the call to us, or anonymously via Crimestoppers if you can help us determine what happened.”