Two months after she allegedly helped her 20-year-old son conceal his girlfriend's death, Anita Turner was still trying to protect him.
She told the Herald on July 5, at her home in Bournemouth, southwest of London, that it was the first day Elliot Turner had left the house since 17-year-old former Aucklander Emily Longley died there.
But her account of a grieving boyfriend was contradicted by Facebook photos uploaded after the death, showing him drinking with a bevy of young women in clubs.
He has now been charged with Emily's murder and attempting to persuade his mother to change her account to the police.
Anita Turner, 50, and her husband Leigh, 53, have been charged with trying to pervert the course of justice.
The couple are accused of failing to telephone emergency services, removing evidence from the crime scene and destroying vital evidence.
Emily died at the family's Queenswood Ave home on May 7. She and on-off boyfriend Elliot Turner had spent the night drinking at a local bar.
The Westlake Girls and Takapuna Grammar old girl moved to Britain last year to live with her grandparents. Her parents still live in NZ.
Clearly distressed, Mrs Turner two weeks ago answered her door in her pyjamas at 3pm. She complained that she was ill and burst into tears when asked about Emily.
Later, when the Herald phoned the house to speak to Elliot Turner, his mother said she was praying with friends and couldn't talk.
Late on Thursday night (NZT), she and her husband were remanded to appear in court again in October.
Their son was remanded in custody until next Thursday.
Mum kept up grief claim despite son's boozing pics
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