Carmen murder: New arrests likely

Bradford James Joseph Callaghan arrives in a police car at Auckland District Court, where he was formally accused of murdering Carmen Thomas. Photo / Brett Phibbs

More arrests - possibly including a woman - are likely in the Carmen Thomas case as police search an inner-city Auckland construction site to find tools used in her grisly death.

Her ex-partner, Bradford James Joseph Callaghan - who has a five-year-old son with Ms Thomas - appeared in Auckland District Court yesterday charged with her murder on June 29.

The Herald fought successfully in court to name the 32-year-old Remuera man.

Police continued to search for clues at a construction site on Victoria St where Callaghan worked as a structural engineer.

Police believe the accused killer had at least one accomplice - who the Herald understands may be co-operating with the inquiry - to help dispose of Ms Thomas' body.

An associate of Callaghan was yesterday granted name suppression by the court, despite him not facing any charges at this stage.

Another person, a woman, is also believed to be of interest to officers.

Last night, police left Callaghan's Remuera home after forensic teams had spent much of the day scouring the Sonia Ave address for clues.

A black Nissan Pulsar was towed from the property, and other items were removed for testing. Another two vehicles were also seized yesterday.

Ms Thomas' home in Ngapuhi Rd - where police believe she was killed - was also the focus of renewed interest this week.

Neighbours say police were rummaging through rubbish bins on Monday night.

Detectives this week lowered a high-tech camera into a drainage system at the Victoria St site being developed by property development firm Mansons TCLM, for which Callaghan works.

Police are believed to be looking for a cutting tool, as well as clues to where Ms Thomas' body may be hidden.

Detective Inspector Mark Benefield confirmed yesterday that police believed the 32-year-old mother had been dismembered - a belief the Herald revealed in August.

It is understood that police will focus on bush on the outskirts of Auckland as the search for Ms Thomas continues.

Callaghan appeared in Auckland District Court yesterday wearing a police-issue blue boiler suit to face the murder charge.

Despite Callaghan losing his bid for name suppression, Judge David Burns granted a police application to suppress the identity of certain "witnesses, associates and accomplices" who were part of the police investigation.

At least one of those alleged accomplices is believed to be co-operating with police.

Defence lawyer Stuart Grieve, QC, did not ask for Callaghan to be released on bail, but indicated he would apply for bail at the next court appearance on October 12.

Police say Ms Thomas' body was "dismembered and disposed of"' at her Remuera home on June 29 - two days after she was last seen alive and four days before a text message was sent from her phone to her boss.

Mr Benefield said staff phoned Ms Thomas' mother, Teresa Scott, in South Africa to deliver the grim news yesterday morning.

"While she was pleased to have an update it was very difficult to tell her that we believe she has been dismembered and disposed of," said Mr Benefield.

On a Facebook page set up since Ms Thomas vanished, her aunt Carol Lavagna said family were "as well as can be".

The family now just wanted to know where Ms Thomas' body was "so we can put her to rest", she wrote.

Callaghan was arrested at the Glen Innes police station yesterday morning. About the same time, detectives were at Mansons' headquarters in Parnell. The officers then went to the Victoria St construction site about 10.45am.

Four detectives were in the site office for about 90 minutes before emerging with cardboard boxes and sealed brown envelopes.

They then drove around the block before parking outside the new Telecom building being developed by Mansons, where they went through Callaghan's office.

Mr Benefield confirmed the site was part of the investigation.

Construction workers at the site told the Herald yesterday that police dogs had been taken there, but "we have no idea if the police are going to ask us to rip up theconcrete".

Mr Benefield said Jack - the 5-year-old son of Ms Thomas and Callaghan - was being cared for by family members, and police were "quite satisfied with his welfare at this stage".

THE CASE SO FAR

June 27: Last confirmed sighting of Ms Thomas, at Greenlane Countdown about 7.10pm. Last day her bank accounts were touched.

June 28: Message sent from her Facebook account at 8.14pm.

June 29: Ms Thomas killed.

July 3: Text sent from her phone to her boss at a Pakuranga men's club.

July 13: Ms Thomas' car towed from Hamilton street. She is reported missing after failing to collect her son.

Sept 1: Police find Ms Thomas' wheelie bin.

Monday: Police put a camera down a hole at a worksite on Victoria St in the Auckland central business district.

Yesterday: Ex-partner Brad Callaghan arrested and charged with murder.