Czech tourist's body returned to her family

Czech tourist Dagmar Pytlickova. Photo / supplied

The body of tourist Dagmar Pytlickova, who was picked up and killed while hitchhiking in the South Island, has been returned to her family in the Czech Republic.

Miss Pytlickova, 31, known as Dasha, is believed to have been sexually assaulted before her throat was cut by Waimate man Jason Frandi in late May.

Frandi, 43, was being sought by police over a sex-offence complaint when he picked up Miss Pytlickova and drove her to a remote forest area near Waimate.

His body was found near Miss Pytlickova's.

Investigation head Detective Senior Sergeant Marion Neill said Ms Pytlickova's body was released to funeral directors on behalf of her family on May 31, and her body has since been taken back to the Czech Republic.

Frandi's body was released to funeral directors on behalf of his family shortly before Ms Pytlickova's.

The last confirmed sighting of Ms Pytlickova remained on the Saturday afternoon in Cromwell, Ms Neill said.

The pair were discovered by a group of off-road motorcyclists while taking part in an off-road charity event on Sunday, May 27.

A small team of Timaru investigators was continuing to work on the inquiry on behalf of the coroner.