Murdered couple 'executed'

Toni-Anne Nathan and Mikaere O’Sullivan had been together 15 years and were planning to marry.

Toni-Anne Nathan and Mikaere O'Sullivan were "executed" under a Bay of Plenty bridge with a shotgun.

Tauranga police confirmed yesterday that the couple died of gunshot wounds at the spot where their bodies were found under the Wairoa River Bridge, near Te Puna, early on Monday.

"I would go as far as saying they've been executed," inquiry head Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner said.

Mr Turner would not reveal how many times the pair were shot and said police did not know what type of shotgun was used but wanted to speak to anyone who had a shotgun stolen recently.

Police are also focusing on a "boy racer" car that was seen under the Wairoa Bridge in the hours leading up to the murder, which is believed to have happened at 2.46am.

Several residents living nearby reported hearing shots at that time.

The car is a blue Mazda 323 or Toyota Corolla hatchback with mag wheels, lowered suspension and tinted windows.

Ms Nathan, 39, will be buried today in Northland and a funeral for Mr O'Sullivan, 42, will be held in Rotorua tomorrow.

A relative of the couple, who had been together 15 years, said she was likely to be farewelled in a wedding dress that she had bought after Mr O'Sullivan proposed to her several years ago.

Danielle Morrissey, Mr O'Sullivan's sister-in-law, said the couple had planned to marry in Rarotonga next year.

They had been trying desperately to have children and, after years of no success with fertility treatments, had asked her to be a surrogate mother for their baby.

Mr O'Sullivan's brother, Lance, said he would be deeply missed.

"He was loved by everybody. They were both loved by everybody."

Friends of the couple in Tauranga and Omokoroa yesterday spoke of their grief.

"It's hitting home now," said John Robertson, who employed Mr O'Sullivan at his roading business after he and Ms Nathan moved to Omokoroa, about 20km north of Tauranga, three months ago.

Mr Robertson said Mr O'Sullivan was a capable, experienced worker who made no secret of his love for his partner.

"He was so happy-go-lucky, good at his work, but there was a sadness about him."

Mr Robertson attributed that sadness to the couple's inability to have children.

Ms Nathan's employer, Sonya Kelly of KJs Bakery in Tauranga, also praised her work.

"Toni was well-mannered, well- dressed and very good with our customers and we all miss her."

Ms Kelly said she had been impressed by Ms Nathan as soon as she applied for the position.

"Because her manners were so beautiful, I gave her the job without interviewing anyone else."

A friend who had known the pair for several years said they had a great relationship.

"They were an awesome couple together. The happiest people ever," he said.

Mr Turner said police were disappointed at receiving no information about a high-speed drive Mr O'Sullivan and Ms Nathan made from Auckland to Te Puna on the morning they died.

The couple made the drive in less than one hour, 50 minutes, after buying goods - not petrol - from a service station in Henderson at 12.54am. The 200km drive usually takes up to three hours.

Police are anxious to know if the couple were alone in Ms Nathan's silver Nissan Skyline for the journey and believe someone must have seen the speeding vehicle.

Ms Morrissey said she was not too surprised at the speed of the drive.

She said Ms Nathan usually made the journey from Auckland in two hours and would say, "pedal to the metal, drive it like you stole it".

Can you help?

* Police want to speak to anyone who had a shotgun stolen recently.

* Police want to know about a "boy racer" car - a blue Mazda 323 or Toyota Corolla hatchback with mag wheels, lowered suspension and tinted windows - seen near the murder scene.

* Police want to speak to anyone who saw the couple in their silver Nissan Skyline which drove from Henderson to Te Puna between 12.56am and 2.46am