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The man charged with murdering deaf Christchurch woman Emma Agnew has also been charged with raping her, police revealed today.
Liam James Reid, 35, is accused of suffocating Ms Agnew and dumping her body in an area of scrub north of Christchurch last November.
At a depositions hearing in the Christchurch District Court today the court heard that Ms Agnew's body had been found partially concealed by foliage and pine needles.
She had a sock stuffed in the back of her throat and had bruising to her neck and genitals.
She was also found naked.
Prosecutor Pip Currie said Reid had confessed killing Miss Agnew to his girlfriend ten day's after her death.
"She asked him what he had done, he said he had killed the girl and when she said 'Emma Agnew the deaf girl', he replied 'yes'."
Miss Currie said analysis of cellphones belonging to Reid and Miss Agnew indicated the pair had been in contact on the morning of November 15 and had both travelled north from Christchurch to the area of Spencerville.
There was a period of inactivity on both phones for an hour and both phones returned to the central Christchurch area towards the middle of the day.
Miss Currie said Reid returned to a backpackers in central Christchurch where he had been staying and had a shower and remained there for several hours.
It is the police case that by this time Miss Agnew had already been killed.
Ms Agnew's car, a red Mazda Familia which she had been trying to sell for about two weeks prior to her death was found in Christchurch's Bromley Park and police say fingerprints taken from the car matched those of Reid.
Miss Currie said Reid travelled to Nelson the day after the murder of Miss Agnew and spent several nights in a shelter there where he discarded some clothing and obtained replacement clothing.
Reid then returned to Christchurch to stay with his girlfriend at the Spencer Park near where Ms Agnew's body was located by a member of the public on November 26.
Miss Currie said Reid then travelled to Dunedin on November 22 and returned to Christchurch on November 24. On November 25 he stayed with his girlfriend at Christchurch's Wigram Lodge.
It was here that Reid allegedly told his girlfriend he was responsible for killing Ms Agnew, Miss Currie said.
Reid was arrested by police at the lodge and declined to comment to police on the murder.
Today's hearing was attended by many of Christchurch's deaf community, who followed the proceedings via sign language interpreters.
Media were not allowed to take photos of Reid, who is of short stocky build with heavily tattooed arms and neck and a shaven head.
About 30 witnesses will be called by the prosecution during the hearing before Justices of the Peace Nick Atkins and John O'Hara, which is expected to last for five days.
