The alleged killer walked up to the public counter at Taupo police station on Tuesday afternoon to report that an "incident" had taken place. Photo / Alan Gibson
The alleged killer walked up to the public counter at Taupo police station on Tuesday afternoon to report that an "incident" had taken place. Photo / Alan Gibson
A hammer is understood to have been found near the body of a Taupo woman allegedly murdered by the father of her three adult daughters.
Martin Schofield, the alleged killer, walked up to the public counter at Taupo police station on Tuesday afternoon to report that an "incident" had taken place.
Katrina Drummond
Soon after, at 5.45pm, 47-year-old Katrina Drummond was found dead in a bedroom of her Elizabeth St home in the modest suburb of Tauhara.
The pair have three daughters together and are listed in property records as co-owners of the house. It is unclear if they were in a relationship at the time of the death.
The Herald understands police found a hammer at the scene.
Schofield, 49, spoke to officers at the station and was then charged with Ms Drummond's murder.
Yesterday morning, he appeared calm and attentive as he stood in the dock at Rotorua District Court, clad in a white boilersuit and glasses.
The names of Schofield and Ms Drummond were initially suppressed by Judge Phillip Cooper, but the defendant was brought back before the court about 3.30pm when suppression was lifted.
Schofield was remanded in custody to reappear on May 13.
His lawyer, Andy Schulze, said Schofield had "no difficulty" with what Judge Cooper was suggesting when he ended suppression.
Investigators outside the house where the murder took place. Photo / Alan Gibson
Ms Drummond's death is not the first tragedy to hit the family.
She and Schofield are the parents of Zara Schofield, who was violently attacked in January 2008 by Jahche Broughton less than a fortnight before the 14-year-old murdered Scottish tourist Karen Aim in the resort town.
Ms Schofield was walking home from a party when Broughton hit her repeatedly about the head with a rock, inflicting serious brain injuries.
Yesterday, Ms Drummond's workmates at Millennium Hotel and Resort, where she worked as a cleaner, were left shocked when news of her death emerged.
"I have some very, very upset staff," general manager Diane Kerins said.
The staff had had "nothing but respect" for Ms Drummond, she said.
"We're all devastated. It's very sad that this should happen to such a sweet, happy, joyful person to work with. She didn't have a mean bone in her body. We only saw kindness from her."
Yesterday, the house was under guard as forensics investigators carried out a scene examination.
Neighbours told the Herald they heard nothing to indicate anything untoward was happening on Tuesday afternoon and were shocked to see police cars arrive.
One neighbour, who asked not to be named, had known Ms Drummond since the pair sat together in English class at Tauhara College, and described her as a "lovely lady".
The two often talked about their cats as well as Zara and Ms Drummond's other daughters, Lana and Casey.
"I saw her quite regularly as she would be getting in the car to work, and we'd always say hi."
Another neighbour who knew Ms Drummond said her thoughts were with her three daughters.
"I just feel incredibly saddened by the situation and the impact that's going to follow, especially on her children, but also extended family. They lose more than once."
The neighbour was at work on Tuesday evening but knew something was wrong when she came home to find police and an ambulance parked in the street, and security staff stationed overnight.
But it was not until she checked the news the next morning that she realised Ms Drummond was dead.
"I just felt sick in the guts, angry and distressed."
