Liberty Rose Templeman. Photo / Supplied
"Little Legs" Liberty Rose Templeman, the 15-year-old slain last weekend, will be farewelled tomorrow in one of the largest funerals the Far North town of Kerikeri has seen.
Arrangements for the funeral of the daughter her parents called "Little Legs" in an emotional death notice, were being finalised
today as police searched a house about four kilometres from where her body in the Wairoa Stream in Kerikeri on Sunday.
She had been reported missing 24 hours earlier after failing to keep an appointment with a friend.
Police spent much of yesterday scouring the property, cutting back bushes and flowers growing down one side of the house, the New Zealand Herald reported.
They would not say what they looking for or what significance the house had in the hunt for the killer.
Police said they were also looking for Liberty's missing five or six-year-old Nokia cellphone with a cracked screen.
In their death notice, Liberty's parents Andrew and Rebecca Templeman, said their vivacious, loving daughter and big sister to Billy (Caveman) was "tragically taken from us at the tender age of 15".
"Everybody is absolutely gorgeous in their own way. Everybody, the Templemans said.
"Come with colour and come with a smile to a celebration of Libby's life,"
The bright and bubbly teen who wanted to be an actress or work in a theatrical role was to be cremated in a private service after the public funeral at The Centre in Kerikeri at 11am tomorrow.
More than 600 people were expected but funeral director Anthony Kiely said the number of mourners could grow.
Libby's parents had also asked mourners not to wear black but to wear bright colours to reflect her personality.
The Templemans also thanked the Kerikeri community for their support.
"Liberty was staying with family friends in Kerikeri, enabling her to be with a number of her really close friends prior to returning home on Sunday.
"She was looking forward to her first day at Rangitoto College (Auckland) where she had already auditioned for a place in the end of year performance.
"We would like to thank the community of Kerikeri, Libby's friends and police staff for all their efforts."
Police said their confidence had not wavered that her killer would be found.
Anyone with information about the cellphone or Libby could call police on 0800 COBHAM (0800 262 426).
- NZPA
