'That Call Ended My Life' Book by Murdered Meredith Kercher's Father Reveals Heart-Wrenching Details

Just months before Amanda Knox releases her much-publicised book narrating her side of the story of the murder of British student Meredith Kercher, the victim's father is to release a book detailing the heart-wrenching events that robbed their family of their happiness.

Coined "Meredith: Our Daughter's Murder and the Heartbreaking Quest for the Truth", the book will give a detailed account of the shocking incident by Meredith's father John and about the moment when he learnt of his daughter's death.

A 304-page tribute to his daughter, the book is touted as "a father's story of losing a beloved daughter, and the first account of the torment the family have suffered and their ongoing quest for justice".

"I hadn't been able to get through to Meredith on her mobile, which was very unusual, but I tried to keep calm by telling myself the victim couldn't possibly be Meredith," the Telegraph quoted Meredith's father from the book. "The call eventually came from the foreign desk of the Mirror newspaper, from a young girl I hadn't spoken to before. That call ended my world as I knew it... I shall never forget her words. 'The name going around Italy is Meredith.' I dropped the phone. I didn't believe it. Not my beautiful Meredith."

Scheduled for release on 26 April, 2012; the book recounts the loss of the Kercher family six months after Amanda Knox walked free from prison in Italy, acquitted of the crime.

It was on 1 Nov, 2007 that the body of 21-year-old Meredith Kercher was found murdered in the apartment she shared with Knox. On investigation, Knox was arrested by the Italian police and, along with her then-boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, an Italian student, charged with the murder of Kercher.

The arrest marked the start of a highly publicised four-year trial and appeal process wherein Knox was convicted of sexual assault, murder and simulating a burglary at the first level of trial.

The murder and subsequent events, especially Knox's arrest and trial, received worldwide press coverage, often in the form of salacious tabloid reporting, particularly in Italy and England.

Acquitted last year on murder charges in Italy, Knox is believed to have sold the rights to her story for close to $4 million.

Although, currently untitled, the book by Knox is slated to be a best-seller and has been widely reported across media outlets.

Earlier, a statement by HarperCollins, reported by the Associated Press said: "Knox will give a full and unflinching account of the events that led to her arrest in Perugia and her struggles with the complexities of the Italian judicial system."

"Aided by journals she kept during her imprisonment, Knox will talk about her harrowing experience at the hands of the Italian police and later prison guards and inmates. She will reveal never before-told details surrounding her case, and describe how she used her inner strength and strong family ties to cope with the most challenging time of her young life," the statement further reads.

In the past, the Kercher family has had very few media interactions. Kercher's father, a freelance writer and journalist, did not attend court when Miss Knox and Mr Sollecito, were acquitted of the murder in Oct 2011.