KEY POINTS:
Christchurch police are looking for a man who was stabbed on the same night as prostitute Mellory Manning was murdered.
The 27-year-old streetworker met a violent death on the night of December 18, which police believe involved her being rendered unconscious before being stabbed and then bashed with
a blunt weapon.
Her body was found in the Avon River, east of the city centre, the following morning.
The officer in charge of the case, Detective Inspector Greg Williams, said not long after Ms Manning was seen, a man went to a Salvation Army van, which was in the area, with a stab wound, Radio New Zealand reported today.
"They said about 11pm they were approached by two male Maoris that were driving a dark coloured ute," Mr Williams said.
One was described as being in his late teens, early 20s, and the other being in his late 20s.
"They said the male that was in his late 20s came over and asked to be treated because he had been stabbed in the back of the right knee."
Yesterday Mr Williams said they were keen to speak with the driver of a Ford Falcon car, who may hold the key to Ms Manning's murder.
A witness who knew Ms Manning had seen her get into a Falcon car some time after 10.15pm on the night she died.
Mr Williams said police had a confirmed sighting of her standing on the corner of Peterborough and Manchester St about 10.33 pm.
"Mellory smiled at the two witnesses as they walked by," he said.
"They also saw that Mellory had her black cardigan hanging in the tree next to them. One of these witnesses returned back through this intersection between 10.43 and 10.45 pm and Mellory was gone."
Mr Williams said police now had a witness come forward who was in the area about the same time and confirmed seeing Ms Manning arrive back in a vehicle about 10.15 pm. Police had identified that vehicle.
"This witness tells us that they have seen a Falcon motor vehicle drive down Manchester Street and turn left into Peterborough Street and stop just around the corner."
The car was described as being like an XR6 or XR8 model, navy blue in colour, with a distinctive red stripe.
"This witness has seen Mellory walk over to the car, open the door and get in. The witness says that the vehicle remained there for a short period and was still there with Mellory in it when the witness left the area.
"The witnesses personally knew Mellory. We cannot say if Mellory got out of this vehicle or left the area in this vehicle."
Meanwhile, a memorial service is to be held for Ms Manning at St Luke's on Manchester St tomorrow at 3.30pm.
- NZPA