The victim, who has since been identified at Bernice Marychurch, is being remembered as a “beautiful”mum who “did not deserve this”.
In a statement to the Herald, the passenger – who did not wish to be named – said Marychurch was surrounded by “an endless amount of people who cared about her” in her final minutes.
Bernice Marychurch has been identified as the victim of Wednesday's fatal Onehunga bus stabbing.
“Every chance possible, I held her hand, because I wanted her to know she was not alone.”
She said all passengers and the driver started as strangers but were united through the care they had for one another.
“It has been a painful reminder about the importance of community. Onehunga epitomised every sense of that word.
“We will carry her kindness everywhere we go,” she said.
The passenger commended another passenger for their “incredible situational awareness” while securing the bus and the first police officer who arrived at the scene for “helping me try to preserve her life”.
“I am also grateful for the other passengers and driver for staying calm in a horrifying situation ... Most importantly, thank you, sis, for all that you did.
“Let it be known ... No one dies alone in New Zealand.”
Bernice Marychurch was fatally stabbed on a bus on Church St in Onehunga about 2.30pm on Wednesday. Photo / Hayden Woodward
Marychurch, who was found with multiple stab wounds, died at the scene on Church St in Onehunga just after 2.30pm on Wednesday.
He had a prominent tattoo above his eyebrow, a shaved head and wore a blue windbreaker.
Leona’s lawyer said he did not seek bail and asked for him to be remanded in custody without plea until his next appearance on charges of murder, threatening to kill, assault and burglary.
The alleged offences of threatening to kill, assault and burglary were committed a short time after Leona is alleged to have killed Marychurch on Wednesday.
Marychurch’s family attended court on Friday, according to the police prosecutor.
Kael Leona appeared at Auckland District Court on Friday via an audio-visual link. Photo / Michael Craig
Auckland City’s relieving district crime manager, Acting Detective Inspector Alisse Robertson, earlier said the investigation was still in its infancy.
