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NORFOLK ISLAND - Two tourists have told a Norfolk Island court how they came across the body of Janelle Patton while visiting a waterfall in 2002.
New Zealanders Helen Opie and Mark De La Roche gave evidence today in the island's Supreme Court, where Glenn McNeill is accused of Ms Patton's murder.
McNeill, a 29-year-old New Zealand chef, has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge.
The jury heard Ms Opie and Mr De La Roche were holidaying on Norfolk Island on March 31, 2002, when they discovered Ms Patton's body, partially covered by black plastic, at the Cockpit Waterfall Reserve.
Ms Opie told the court that following heavy rain, they had left their apartment about 5.30pm and driven to the reserve.
She said Mr De La Roche was the first to notice the black plastic and called out to her.
"He said, 'Helen, there's a body there'," Ms Opie said.
"At first I didn't believe him.
"I said, 'No, no it can't be'. Then, as I drew closer I realised, yes, it was a body.
"I could see her white joggers ... her hand was sticking out of the plastic."
Mr De La Roche told the court he and Ms Opie had initially debated about whether or not what they were looking at was a body.
"She just made a comment that it might not be -- it's just rubbish," he said.
He said he took a closer look, trying to focus on what it could be.
"I saw the back of Janelle's head, her feet and her stomach," Mr De La Roche said.
"We proceeded to leave Cockpit Waterfall in a hurry."
The pair returned to their apartment and Ms Opie phoned police, the court was told.
The trial continues.
- AAP
