KEY POINTS:
As Rowena Kopara's grieving family celebrated her 36th birthday next to her freshly dug grave yesterday, the man accused of murdering her appeared in the Manukau District Court.
The 45-year-old from South Auckland, who has interim name suppression, was charged yesterday morning, two days after he was charged with threatening to cause grievous bodily harm to the mother-of-three just before Christmas.
Police would not say what led him to face the more serious charge except that "a number of inquiries had come together" at the weekend.
Ms Kopara's naked and decomposing body was found dumped in a layby off State Highway 27 just over a week ago.
Her clothes, including a tan skirt, black top and white Jandals, have not been found. Nor has her white handbag, a gold and ruby ring and a Nokia phone which may have been dumped anywhere between South Auckland and the Waikato, where she was found.
Police have refused to say how Ms Kopara died or if she knew the man accused of her murder.
The death has been described as violent.
Yesterday, Ms Kopara's mother, Rewa Witika, said she was happy with the way police had handled the homicide investigation and pleased with the arrest, but said her main concern had been getting her daughter back and burying her - a task which was carried out on Saturday in the presence of friends and family.
Ms Witika said she held no anger or resentment towards the man charged.
"I have got no room in my heart for hate."
She did not attend the court appearance, instead returning to her daughter's grave.
