Miss Ethiopia Ruth Yirgalem Weldesilasie

Preparing to take the stage representing Ethiopia at the Miss World pageant, Ruth Yirgalem Weldesilasie thought of her sister, who was abducted and murdered ahead of last weekend's contest.

"I'm going to change my pain to my purpose," the 25-year-old said in Vietnam's coastal Nha Trang city, as 111 contestants gathered for the Saturday night pageant finale.

This summer, Ruth's 29-year-old elder sister Kidusan Yirgalem Weldesilasie was kidnapped for ransom - disappearing from her side as she prepared for the global beauty contest.

Kidusan was discovered dead, her remains split between two suitcases, in late July. Ruth's best friend of a decade and her best friend's boyfriend are among 10 suspects who have been arrested, she said.