Man charged with murder of young mother

A man has appeared in court in Christchurch on charges of murdering Alexsis Maria Tovizi. File Photo / Daily Post

A Christchurch man accused of murdering a 21-year-old mother last December was remanded in custody for two weeks after a brief appearance in Christchurch District Court today.

Twenty-two-year-old Nikki Roper, of Sockburn, unemployed, faces charges of murdering Alexsis Maria Tovizi between December 5 and 9, stealing her $3000 Subaru car and $1000 laptop computer on December 6, and dishonestly using a bank card.

He appeared in the dock soon after 10am, and defence counsel Andrew Bailey sought a remand to February 18 without plea. This was granted by Judge Michael Radford.

There were no applications for bail or name suppression.

Ms Tovizi, the mother of a three-year-old boy who was staying with his grandmother at the time, was reported missing by her mother on December 8. She was found dead by police who went to her home in Stanmore Road, Linwood, the next day.

Although it was not at first thought her death was suspicious, the police investigation continued and Roper was arrested yesterday.

Roper appeared in the dock wearing a police smock issued in cases where there is concern about possible self-harm.

- NZPA