Grisly case hard on investigators

Detective Inspector Mark Benefield. Photo / Michael Craig

The emotional toll of working round-the-clock for nearly three months to return Carmen Thomas to her family proved too much for investigation head Mark Benefield last night.

The charismatic detective inspector broke down in tears for the second time in less than 24 hours as he spoke of the grisly conclusion to their 80-day search for the 32-year-old mother of one.

At the end of a five-minute press conference, Benefield was asked how he had dealt with such a gruesome inquiry.

His response began: "The emotion in this investigation" before his voice tapered off. He turned his back on the cameras and walked away with tears streaming down his face.

His communications advisor Noreen Hegarty stepped in to say: "It's been a long day."

On Friday night Benefield also struggled with his emotions and paused repeatedly to avoid bursting into tears at an emotionally-charged press conference at the Auckland Central police station.

With voice breaking, he said that police were about to return "Carmen to her family and loved ones and let them lay her to rest in dignity".

Inquiry officers will be offered trauma counselling but Benefield added that the investigation still had a long way to go to see a successful prosecution.