Husband in Lundy case still 'a victim'

Manawatu police have restated their view that the husband and father of murdered Christine Lundy and daughter Amber is a victim, despite rumours that he is responsible for the killings.

Mrs Lundy, aged 38, and Amber, 7, were murdered in their Palmerston North home on August 29.

Yesterday, police involved in the homicide inquiry, Operation Winter, issued a statement in response to a newspaper report in which Mark Lundy spoke about the slaying of his family.

Mr Lundy said he was disgusted by rumours suggesting he was responsible for the deaths. Police had questioned him.

"I know they have to ask those questions. I know the spouse is the prime suspect, but I've got nothing to hide," he told the Sunday Star-Times.

Operation Winter media liaison officer Mark Painter said police maintained their position that Mr Lundy was a victim.

"When asked directly at an earlier news conference if Mark Lundy was a suspect, Detective Sergeant [Ross] Grantham [the inquiry head] replied that he is a victim. Our position has not changed.

"Operation Winter will not disclose how many suspects we have or who they may be."

Eleven days ago, Palmerston North police said they believed they were close to catching the killer, and had possibly narrowed their investigations down to one main suspect.

Mr Painter said yesterday that at best only 25 per cent of scientific evidence had been returned from the Institute of Environmental Science and Research, but the team expected "more positive results."

The weapon used to bludgeon the Lundys - believed to be a small axe or tomahawk - in their home in the suburb of Kelvin Grove has not been found.

Mr Lundy had been out of town on business, and told the Star-Times that he wished he had been home at the time. "Whether that was three funerals or one - I just wish I was at home."NZPA

Mr Lundy said he had not returned to the family's home since police took him back there in mid-September. After having initially moved in with his father, he was now living with a friend.

- NZPA

Police have set up a free phone line (0800 679 468) to take information from the public.

The Police investigation.