Parents' message to killer: We'll get you

Garry and Naelene McKenzie speak at a press conference yesterday. Picture / Alan Gibson

The parents of murdered woman Tania McKenzie have warned her killer "we will get you" and "God have mercy on your soul".

Speaking in the Wanganui Baptist Church, truck driver Garry McKenzie and wife Naelene sent an angry message: "Keep looking over your shoulder, because our baby may be gone but we're not."

Tania McKenzie, a 1.6m redhead, was murdered after she finished working as a barmaid at central Wanganui's Red Lion Inn late on Thursday night.

She left work dressed in a black top and trousers after a few birthday drinks with her workmates and headed into town to celebrate with some friends.

The last sighting of her was around 1am on Friday, her 20th birthday.

At 10.30am her naked body was found in the Whanganui River. She had extensive head injuries.

Yesterday her parents asked for help in finding the killer of their "baby girl".

"We're her spokesperson now. Her voice is not lost from the grave," they said.

"With the police's help, we know we will get you, whoever you are ... and God have mercy on your soul."

The couple, who soon became too upset to speak, said Tania would not have given in to her killer without a fight.

Police cordoned off a house on Sunday and spoke to a man living there.

Yesterday, as the homicide inquiry moved into its fourth day, they worked in overcast weather, searching beneath a piece of blue tarpaulin in the area where the body was found and combing the muddy river.

Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Oxnam said Tania's parents were straightforward, hardworking people whose lives had been turned upside down by the murder of their eldest daughter.

Speaking publicly yesterday was the hardest thing they had had to do.

Mr Oxnam said Tania flatted in town with friends and did a lot of walking. He would not comment on whether she had a boyfriend or feared anyone, but when asked if her killer could be someone who knew her routine, he said, "Absolutely".

The 50-strong inquiry team had spoken to the people she had been with early on Friday.

Mr Oxnam wanted to hear from anyone who was around Somme Parade and Pitt St about that time.

He said some objects of interest had been found in the river.