Judith Furlong's eyes light up as she sees the wooden cross nestled between baches and crumbling sand dunes at the estuary town of Port Waikato.

The former boyfriend of Jane Furlong has broken his silence over her kidnapping and murder.

Chicago, the birthplace of the skyscraper, hangout of Al Capone and home to Barack Obama, has claimed a new and unwanted title as America's murder capital.

Catriona MacLennan writes: On Saturday night, I walked alone past Albert Park to meet friends at the town hall. If I'd have been attacked, it would've been my fault.

A man who executed his uncle and aunt in cold blood after a disagreement about chores has been labelled dangerous and cruel by a judge.

Police have launched 13 homicide inquiries after a dramatic spike in violent crimes in the past month.

Kylee Guy's sister has dismissed a new book about the 2010 murder of her brother-in-law Scott Guy.

A woman stabbed to death by a man in her West Auckland home in a "tragic and disturbing" incident has been described as a "fantastic person".

The "shell-shocked'' mother of a security guard killed on the first day on the job feels betrayed by the justice system after the man accused of murdering him was acquitted today.

Auckland's "streeties" feel increasingly at risk after a second homeless man in just over a month was killed in the city.

Trevor Waite was shot dead in his bed with Glenys Stanton. Three days later Johnny Mowatt shot himself. Anna Leask looks at how three lives collided so tragically.

A man who shot himself in Auckland's Woodhill Forest as police were closing in to question him has been formally identified.

Glenys Stanton was remembered for living life to the full and having a "smile that would light up a room" at her funeral in Auckland yesterday.

A young security guard, killed on his first night on the job, was filling in for a permanent staff member who had requested the night off for his birthday, a court has heard.

Police are to speak to the coroner today about the formal identification of the man believed to have shot dead his ex-girlfriend and her friend.

Chris Good keeps pinned to his fridge the original missing person appeal put out by police after Jane Furlong's disappearance. The typewritten note on yellow paper, stapled to a photo of Furlong, comes from a bygone era.

Hundreds of mourners yesterday farewelled Trevor Waite, the man gunned down alongside Glenys Stanton near Papakura last weekend.

No cuts or marks were noted on Robin Bain's hands following his death because there were no cuts or marks, says the Dunedin pathologist who examined his body.

Three firearms are being tested to see which was used in the murders of Trevor Waite and Glenys Stanton.

A man who shook, smothered and repeatedly punched a 5-month-old baby has been sentenced to just over three years in prison.

Fallen Chinese politician tries to discredit former top aide as unreliable witness.

Bo Xilai, formerly one of the most powerful and charismatic men in Chinese politics, has admitted that his wife left him because he cheated on her.

The detective in charge of the investigation into the death of Javed Mills has told families who have not seen their missing loved ones to get in touch with police.

James Cooper has been found not guilty of the 2009 murder of Javed Mills but guilty of his manslaughter.

David Bain has been denied access to documents linked to a report into compensation for wrongful imprisonment.

The record of a high-profile figure will remain untarnished and his name will stay secret - despite admitting assaulting his young son.