Mellory Manning. Photo supplied
A memorial service is to be held in Christchurch on Monday for prostitute Mellory Manning as police continue the hunt for her killer.
The body of 27-year-old Ms Manning was found by a kayaker in the Avon River, east of the city centre, a week ago today.
Detective
Inspector Greg Williams said a small team had continued to work on the investigation throughout Christmas and Boxing Day.
Police continued to urge the public and potential clients of Ms Manning who were in the Peterborough and Manchester streets area where she was working on the Thursday night before her death to contact them.
Mr Williams said earlier that police had information about a male of Indian descent who had been a client.
He drove a white vehicle described as being like a Honda and arrived in the area at around 10.15pm.
There was also a sighting of a dark blue or black four wheel drive with tinted windows and highly polished wheels that was seen at about 10.30pm.
"We need to speak to these people. I can assure anyone who comes forward that they can speak with us in confidence."
Police are also examining an international study of 45 prostitute murderers in the hope it may help with their inquiry.
Mr Williams said a "portrait" of the killer was being developed by a team of clinical psychologists, and the international study was being explored for comparisons.
Ms Manning met a violent death which police believe involved her being rendered unconscious before being repeatedly stabbed with a knife, and then bashed with a blunt weapon.
A text message at 10.43pm on Thursday indicated she was unharmed, and her watch had stopped at 10.59pm, possibly when entering the river.
Mr Williams said a memorial service for Ms Manning was to be held at St Lukes in Manchester St on Monday at 3.30pm.
- NZPA
