Relief as buried body identified

Christchurch police say they will continue to search the Wainoni property where the women's bodies were found. Photo / Simon Baker

The family of slain Christchurch woman Tisha Lowry are pleased to have some closure after having it confirmed that she was buried under the city's "house of horrors".

Police found two bodies under the house last week, the second of whom is a 35-year-old woman who lived at the property. Her 33-year-old husband is charged with her murder, and tomorrow will be charged with the murder of Ms Lowry, 28, who had been living two doors away.

The man will also be questioned over the death of a third woman, sex worker Mellory Manning, who was strangled, stabbed and beaten before being thrown in Christchurch's Avon River about three months after Ms Lowry disappeared.

However, police emphasised that this was routine and there was no evidence to link the man to Ms Manning's death.

Detective Inspector Tom Fitzgerald said the formal identification of Ms Lowry was a tragic conclusion for her family, after she disappeared when walking home almost a year ago.

The Lowry family asked for privacy as they absorbed the news, but issued a statement: "The family is pleased to have closure now and sincerely thank police and volunteers who helped when Tisha went missing, and their hard work to date. More importantly thanks for all the love and support received from our families and friends."

Mr Fitzgerald said police knew how Ms Lowry had died, but he would not reveal details. The murder accused had initially given some co-operation to police.

Asked if other unsolved cases were being looked into, he said: "There's nothing at this stage that gives us any strong links to anybody else, but we will continue looking at all cases."

Detective Inspector Greg Williams, who heads the inquiry into the death of Ms Manning, told the Christchurch Star the accused man had not featured in the inquiry so far but was now a person of interest. However, this was purely because the case was unsolved.

"Obviously we want to know where he was on December 18 [the night Mellory Manning was last seen alive]."

Neighbours had reported seeing prostitutes visit the man's home.

Canterbury police district commander Superintendent Dave Cliff told the Herald extensive inquiries would be made around the country to build up a "very clear picture of the individual".

Some local people have suggested the house should be burned, and Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker has floated the idea of the city council buying the property.

Mr Fitzgerald said security was in place to guard against arson.