The second arrest follows the earlier arrest of a 42-year-old man, who appeared by audio-visual link in court yesterday when he was granted interim name suppression. He, too, is from Glenfield, but was arrested in Hamilton on Thursday night.
He wore a blue boiler suit and appeared calm, answering the judge’s questions in a measured tone from the Auckland Custody Unit in Mt Eden prison.
He was remanded in custody without plea for his next appearance in the High Court at Auckland, on November 29.
Police later revealed Chong didn’t drive, and evidence inside the couple’s home suggested she didn’t leave of her own accord. Police then found her body in a bush area in Greenhithe overnight on Thursday.
The theatre nurse was “a very wise, respected” health worker and a “good guy”, a staff member told the Herald.
Brad Healey, interim group director of operations at Te Whatu Ora-Waitematā, extended condolences to the hospital’s theatre team, who were mourning their “respected colleague”.
“Joseph was a valued and well-liked member of our North Shore Hospital family and I would like to acknowledge his exceptional service,” Healey said.
“Our hearts are with those who worked with him.
“They are feeling this loss immensely and we will ensure they are supported through this period.”