'House of Horrors' victims were strangled: source

The gutted remains of Christchurch's so-called 'House of Horrors' where Tisha Lowry and Rebecca Somerville's bodies were found. Photo / Simon Baker

The two women found under Christchurch's house of horrors were strangled.

The Star has learned Tisha Lowry, 28, and Rebecca Somerville, 35, met similar deaths, almost a year apart.

Detective Inspector Tom Fitzgerald yesterday refused to discuss the causes of the women's deaths.

He said it was up to the Coroner to determine how they died.

"It will come out in the wash but that won't be until further down the track," he said.

Mrs Somerville's husband, Jason Somerville, will reappear in the district court in November.

He has been charged with murdering both women.

Ms Lowry was killed on or about September 25 last year - the she went missing.

She lived in Hampshire St, a few doors from the Somerville's on the corner of Hampshire St and Wainoni Rd. the house was set alight by an arsonist at the weekend.

At the time if Ms Lowry's disappearance, there were a number of reported sightings of her in the area.

She disappeared after walking home from the nearby Bower Tavern, where she had been with her grandfather.

Somerville was questioned by police as they made door to door inquiries soon after she disappeared.

He told police not know Ms Lowry.

Detective Inspector Fitzgerald said Mrs Somerville did not see Tisha Lowry on the day she disappeared.

Meanwhile detectives investigating the brutal killing of prostitute Mellory Manning are still waiting to interview Somerville.

Inquiry head, Detective Inspector Greg Williams said he could "confirm 100 per cent" police would question Somerville.

However, he was not at the top of the list of suspects.

Ms Manning's body was found in the Avon River on December 19.

She had been stabbed, strangled and beaten with what appeared to be a piece of reinforcing steel.

- CHRISTCHURCH STAR