No link between Feilding and Marton killings, police say

The man heading the Mona Morriss murder inquiry says police are satisfied there is no link with the Feilding double killing.

Detective Sergeant Tim Smith said the killing of the Marton pensioner in January was entirely separate from the slaying of elderly Feilding pair Ted Ferguson and Margaret Waldin.

"The Mona Morriss investigation team is happy for the Feilding community," he said following the arrest of David Konia, 52, of Feilding.

Mr Smith said the Feilding investigation was helped by security camera footage, which the Marton case did not have.

He said the Morriss inquiry team was making "good progress" on the case but declined to elaborate.

Konia, unemployed, yesterday appeared in Palmerston North District Court charged with murdering Mr Ferguson and Mrs Waldin.

He was remanded in custody until June 28 to reappear in Palmerston North.

Konia's sister-in-law yesterday told The Dominion Post newspaper the family had not known about any involvement of him in the Feilding murders.

"We're a bit shellshocked... We're trying to see if there is anything we can do," she said.

- nzpa