Child of slain woman honours 'greatest hero'

Artist Peter Donnelly, family friend of Vanessa Pickering, creates a tribute to her in the sands of Christchurch's New Brighton Beach. Photo / Simon Baker

An 8-year-old girl has written a moving message to her mother and "greatest hero" a year to the day after the woman's violent death.

Vanessa Pickering, 27, went missing on February 8 last year and her body was found three days later on farmland near Christchurch. Her daughter also went missing and was found wandering alone in a paddock north of Christchurch.

Miss Pickering's death is a matter before the courts and details cannot be published.

In memorial notices published in a Christchurch newspaper yesterday to mark one year since her death, Miss Pickering's family say her daughter still considers her mother her greatest hero.

"It has been one year since my Mummy was taken away from me," the girl wrote.

"I miss her laughing and dancing with me, but most of all I miss her. Look out for my balloon, Mummy. Kisses and cuddles."

Miss Pickering's mother, Rachel Kitson, told the Herald that even though a year had passed since her daughter's death, it still felt raw.

"I know that she is in a better place. But it won't be really until after the [court process] that I can try to start to move forward."

Ms Kitson said her grand-daughter was doing well, but there was still a hole there.

"Especially with starting school and no mother there to be with her. All of a sudden it was just a reminder of how it was last year when she first started back at school, and then all of a sudden Mum was gone. She talks a lot about Vanessa, and the things she misses and the laughs they used to have together."

The family were committed to keeping Miss Pickering's memory alive for her daughter. The girl had helped paint a cross pink and put glitter on it as a symbol of remembrance.

A picture was crafted in the sand at Christchurch's New Brighton beach yesterday by artist and family friend Peter Donnelly as a memorial to Miss Pickering.