Overstayer raids figure in murdered woman's past

By LOUISA CLEAVE

Murdered businesswoman Darunee Aphiromlerk was investigated by the Immigration Service five years ago after raids uncovered Thai overstayers living in her homes and working for her.

Police investigating her murder said the Thai women were found during raids on several of Ms Aphiromlerk's homes in the late 1990s.

Detective Senior Sergeant Gary Lendrum said police did not know whether the women were involved in any illegal activities.

"Some of them appear to have been working for her and it may well be that others may be staying with her for somewhere to live while they're in New Zealand.

"Some of them were sewing garments and bits and pieces."

Immigration was "well aware" of Ms Aphiromlerk but had not had any contact with her for five years, said Mr Lendrum.

Ms Aphiromlerk was not believed to have been involved in bringing the women to NZ.

Mr Lendrum said the immigration raids were of interest but the inquiry was focusing on the last three to four months of her life.

Police had not uncovered anything illegal in her business dealings, he said.

The Thai-born property trader was killed not long after she was last seen on October 3.

Ms Aphiromlerk attended a meeting in Papatoetoe to complete a furniture sale for a friend who was moving overseas.

She left at 8pm and returned to her Manurewa home, from where she made several phone calls.

The last call, to a wrong number, was made just after 10pm.

A friend who drove past her home the following morning reported seeing her navy blue BMW parked in the driveway.

Ms Aphiromlerk was reported missing on October 14 and her body was found on Thursday last week in the Waikato River, wrapped in a duvet from her home.

Police divers yesterday searched the area of river south of Mercer where her body was found by an eel fisherman.

Mr Lendrum said police had received more information from the Thai community about Ms Aphiromlerk's more recent business activities and knew with whom she had been dealing.