Police investigate link between two killings

Police investigating the unsolved murder of prostitute Mellory Manning are taking a renewed interest in a man questioned about the death of a Christchurch mother this week.

The Weekend Herald has learned that the man, who was sought by police over the disappearance of Vanessa Pickering, 27, before she was found dead at Godley Head in Canterbury on Thursday, is a former partner of Ms Manning.

He was spoken to early in the inquiry into Ms Manning's death. She was found in the Avon River in Christchurch in December 2008. Her injuries were described as among the most shocking detectives had seen.

Police investigating the death of Ms Pickering said this week they believed the man was with Ms Pickering when she disappeared on Monday.

Ms Pickering's 7-year-old daughter was found wandering alone in a paddock north of Christchurch the following night.

The man, 40, is facing charges of assault with intent to commit sexual violation, sexual violation, unlawful detention and assault on a child.

He has interim name suppression, at least until an appeal is heard by the High Court next week on the issue.

Detective Inspector Greg Williams, who heads the inquiry into the killing of Ms Manning, told the Weekend Herald police had been aware of the man for some time.

"He was someone we obviously spoke to early in the piece, as we do with any person of interest. He was of interest to our inquiry and he's popped up in this [latest inquiry] and obviously now we are working with their team to see if there is anything similar to what we are looking at."

The Weekend Herald has also learned that the man was well known to sex workers on the streets of Christchurch's red light district.

A post-mortem examination of Ms Pickering's body was still being completed yesterday, but Detective Senior Sergeant Virginia Le Bas said she had suffered some trauma and her death was not an accident.

No attempt appeared to have been made to hide the body, although it was found in an area difficult to access.

In a statement read by Ms Le Bas, Ms Pickering's mother, Rachel, said: "Even though tragic, we have been blessed with the recovery of Vanessa, and her daughter's life spared. We can't thank everyone enough."

Ms Pickering's uncle Neville Pickering said his niece was brought up to be as tough as the boys on the farm, but was gentle and an animal lover.

"She would sooner do you a good favour than a bad one any time."

Her country upbringing meant she could put up a good fight.

"On a couple of occasions, I saw Vanessa in action and I wouldn't have wanted to be on the wrong side of her."

She was a natural at being a mother, Mr Pickering said.

"She idolised her little one."