NZ doctor accused of murder

Police say Maureen Boyce died from a single stab wound to her abdomen.

Woman died of a single stab wound.

A Tauranga doctor has been charged with the murder of his lover, Brisbane socialite and former model Maureen Boyce.

Tom Lang, a 63-year-old American who called New Zealand home, was arrested on Friday night and charged with the murder of the well-known Brisbane identity.

Lang had been staying with Boyce, 68, who he had told people was a decades-old flame to whom he was now engaged.

On Thursday morning he called emergency services to say he had discovered her dead in her bed at her Kangaroo Pt, Brisbane, penthouse.

He had been staying with Boyce, a mother of two who was married to a Cairns doctor, for two weeks - apparently in a separate room.

Police say Boyce died from a single stab wound to her abdomen.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Lang worked as a "physician at Welcome Bay Medical Centre/Central Med Tauranga".

No one from Welcome Bay Medical Centre could be contacted for comment yesterday.

He had lived in New Zealand for six years, leaving Tauranga to visit his lover just two weeks ago. He was due home on Tuesday.

Lang's son Chris lives in Texas. Chris' partner, Jade Unpingco, was distraught when contacted by the Herald on Sunday yesterday.

Chris Lang was not available but Unpingco said he was in regular contact with his dad who spoke often of Boyce.

"[He said they] had a thing back in college and they rekindled their love from a long time ago and they were happy," she said.

"He told me all about her and how she was in the fashion industry. He said that we would get to meet and we would bond over fashion."

Dr Tom Lang brought into Dutton Park police station in regards to the death of Maureen Boyce at Kangaroo Point. Photo / Darren England.

Lang and Boyce were to marry last year but the wedding was postponed, Unpingco said.

She did not know why the nuptials had been delayed.

Lang was a loving father who was "ecstatic" to become a grandfather last August.

"He was so happy to be a grandpa. It was his first grandbaby. He was in the delivery room, he wanted to experience the whole thing," Unpingco said.

"He was taking notes on my vitals, being a doctor and making sure me and the baby were being taken care of right. It was very special."

Lang had planned for the family of three to visit him in New Zealand in February, Unpingco said.

Moving to New Zealand about six years ago was the fulfilment of a lifelong dream, and he couldn't wait to show off his new home, she said.

"He planned for us to tour around the country. He wanted his grandson Isaiah to experience different cultures."

The family knew nothing of Lang's arrest, she said.

Lang lived in a modest home in the Tauranga suburb of Welcome Bay.

His neighbour, Elizabeth Brader, said Lang also told her about his engagement to Boyce.

"He was just happy and excited. She used to come over here and he used to go there."

Two weeks ago Lang asked her to feed his cat, Scooter, because he was going to Australia to see Boyce.

"He was a really nice man. It's just hard to comprehend."