Joseph Reekers wasn't ready to confess to killing Auckland hairdresser Marie Jamieson and had to be convinced by friends that his murderous past had finally caught up with him.
Police intercepted conversations where a "far from confessional and contrite" Reekers was overheard discussing police attempts to obtain a DNA sample
from him.
Reekers was sentenced yesterday to life in jail with a non-parole period of 15 years for the 2001 murder of Ms Jamieson.
Her naked and decomposing body was found dumped behind a former workplace of Reekers on February 19, 2001, nine days after she disappeared.
She had been stabbed three times and her throat had been slit.
At the sentencing in the High Court at Auckland, prosecutor Kieran Raftery said Reekers was in "damage control" and didn't intend to confess to the crime when the police intercepted the conversations.
Reekers had been caught stealing an $8.20 salami roll and was required by law to give a DNA sample to police.
Mr Raftery said friends of Reekers who had an understanding of the law convinced him the game was up and he yielded the sample.
That gave police the breakthrough they needed.
Using newly-developed familial DNA testing investigators searched the DNA database and scored a hit which identified Reekers' sister, who had a criminal record.
Further inquiries led them to Reekers, who had convictions for rape.
A packed court heard yesterday of Reekers' supposed remorse.
He told a probation officer "not a day goes by I don't think about it. I can imagine what her parents are going through".
Mr Raftery said the last few moments of Ms Jamieson's life must have been terrifying.
Justice Lyn Stevens said the 23- year-old had at least three stab wounds to the chest and it appeared she had also had a throat injury.
Reekers told police he picked up Ms Jamieson in Kingsland and they spent days smoking methamphetamine.
He said he killed her after the pair argued about drugs, but denied slitting her throat.
Reekers' lawyer, Christopher Comeskey, said his client was deeply remorseful.
Yvonne Jamieson said she was relieved the "horrible little man" who killed her daughter was "out of action".
It had been a tough wait for him to be brought to justice, she said.
Father Gerry Jamieson said the family was pleased with the sentence but it was hard to be objective about it.
