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The formal identification of a body believed to be that of Emma Agnew has been delayed by 24 hours and is now likely to be completed tomorrow.
A post-mortem examination was completed yesterday, and Detective Inspector Tom Fitzgerald says a report on the findings is expected today.
A
mother who caused chaos in a Christchurch court with a torrent of abuse at an accused murderer says he put her family "through the wringer".
The drama erupted as Liam James Reid, 35, appeared yesterday to face a charge of murdering deaf woman Emma Agnew, 20, who was found in a forested area north of Christchurch almost two weeks after going missing.
Christchurch woman Brenda Prior did not know Ms Agnew, but had to be held back from bursting into the packed court as she yelled "you f***ing filthy mongrel" at Reid.
"What compelled me to do that is that my son saw Emma, looked at Emma's car, three minutes before she disappeared," Mrs Prior said.
"It was unfortunate for him that he happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time."
She claims the contact between Ms Agnew and her car-loving 13-year-old son AJ made him a suspect in Ms Agnew's disappearance two weeks ago.
Ms Agnew's car had been for sale and was found burnt out in a Christchurch park the day she went missing.
Mrs Prior said police had been at her home, lifting up carpet and even taking away her son's bedding.
"He's been 100 per cent cleared of course, but I feel so angry towards [Reid].
"The hell that we have been through with him, and that Emma's family have been through, we feel like we know her."
Detective Inspector Tom Fitzgerald would not confirm their inquiries into Mrs Prior's son. But what she described as "being put through the wringer" was what police did with all those who had been in contact with Ms Agnew before her disappearance.
While the deaf community also feels anger towards Reid, it frowned upon Mrs Prior's actions yesterday.
Rachel Noble, chief executive of the Deaf Association, said the community felt interrupted in court yesterday by the shouting of hearing people.
"We wanted respect for Emma. We wanted a quiet time for Emma."
Ms Agnew's parents had also sent a message asking for people to conduct themselves "with care".
Reid, a short, bald man, wearing a long-sleeved blue top, appeared for only a minute in court. He did not look at the packed public gallery where dozens of Ms Agnew's family and supporters had gathered.
He was rushed away by police as the abuse began, while Judge Gary MacAskill also left the courtroom.
The judge criticised the reaction of those who abused Reid as an "appalling display of lawlessness".