Hitchhiker murder: Blessing ceremony carried out

Dagmar Pytlickova (left) and Jason Frandi. Photos / Supplied

A blessing ceremony has been carried out at the remote south Canterbury forestry where Czech hitchhiker Dagmar Pytlickova was murdered.

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.

Police said local iwi and a parish minister carried out a ceremony at midday yesterday in a small clearing in the forested area where Dasha was found.

It recognised the tragic events that had happened there, while lifting the Tapu and blessing the area, police said.

Detectives working on the case attended the ceremony, along with representatives from property owners Blakeley Pacific Forestry and two neighbouring land owners who laid flowers for Dasha on behalf of the local community.

Investigation head Detective Senior Sergeant Marion Neill said no more confirmed sightings of either Pytlickova or Frandi have been received this week.

A small team of Timaru investigators was continuing to work on the enquiry, with work expected to continue for weeks before the file is forwarded to the coroner, he said.

- HERALD ONLINE