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The family of slain Christchurch schoolgirl Marie Davis were still debating last night whether to face up to the man charged with her rape and murder.
They were given the news by police late yesterday afternoon that a 38-year-old Christchurch man had been arrested, leaving them with mixed
feelings.
"It makes it a hell of a lot easier, but it brings back all those emotions again," said Davis family spokesman Nick Donald.
"You just put it down to rest and ... it all gets dragged back again. I don't know if you feel like jumping up for joy or crying. It's a real mixture. You feel sick to the stomach. It's horrible."
Asked about the alleged sexual nature of the attack on Marie, Mr Donald said: "You just try not to think about it. [Marie's killer is] sick, mate. He's sick in the head."
Marie, 15, was farewelled at a service last week after her body was found in the Waimakariri River, 12 days after she was last seen alive at her family home.
Police said the arrest came partly from a "large input" by the public.
They would not comment on whether the man charged was known to Marie, but Mr Donald said he did not know the person appearing in court today.
He said the family was still to decide whether to be in court.
"I'm not sure on that one ... whether we go or not. Originally it was a no, but yeah ... things might change."
"You see him ... and then what?"
If Marie's mother, Janet, wanted to be there, Mr Donald said he would be there to support her.
Detective Senior Sergeant Virginia Le Bas, who has led the investigation into Marie's death, said she was pleased for the family. But she said police did not have the luxury of ending their investigation, and were still looking for sightings of a silver Mitsubishi Galant that is central to their investigation.
A vehicle with a similar description was seen speeding near the Waimakariri River when Marie disappeared.
Mr Donald praised the "brilliant" work of Ms Le Bas and her team.
"Police wouldn't have made an arrest without having some good strong evidence in the case to get a guilty [verdict]. But I'm sure there is still more to build.
"It's only stage three. Stage four is getting a guilty, and then we will be able to settle down."
Dozens of people on internet chatrooms last night praised police and expressed relief over the arrest.
Ms Le Bas would not comment when asked if the person charged could face any further charges, or if anyone else was being sought.
Werner Botha, father of Marie's best friend Robyn, said everyone was thankful the alleged killer was off the streets "so something tragic like this can't happen again".