Second body identified - murder charge to be laid

Detective Inspector Tom Fitzgerald confirms the identification of Tisha Lowry's body in Christchurch today. Photo / NZPA

Police will lay a second charge of murder against the man who lived at Christchurch's "house of horrors".

The second body under the house has been confirmed as that of missing neighbour Tisha Lowry.

The body of Ms Lowry, 28, who went missing in September last year, was removed on Monday.

Ms Lowry's family have been informed and have made a short statement to the media.

"The family is pleased to have closure now and sincerely thank police and volunteers who helped when Tisha went missing and their hard work to date.

"More importantly, thanks for all the love and support received from our families and friends," the statement said.

The body of Ms Lowery is expected to be returned to the family tomorrow.

The murder accused, who will face the second charge on Friday, will also be questioned over the unsolved murder of prostitute Mellory Manning.

Detective Inspector Greg Williams, said police were "obviously interested" in the 32-year-old after the discovery of the two bodies.

The man, who has name suppression, has already been charged with murdering his 35-year-old wife.

Her body was removed from the house on the corner of Hampshire St and Wainoni Rd on Saturday.

The man will appear in the district court again on Friday.

The Wainoni case has now opened up the prospect the 32-year-old falls into the realm of a serial killer. Police say other unsolved missing persons cases will be considered by the investigation team.

Detective Inspector Williams said the accused had not featured in the Manning inquiry to date, but confirmed he was now a "person of interest".

However, that was purely because the case was unsolved.

"Obviously we want to know where he was on December 18 (the night Ms Manning was last seen alive)," he said.

Neighbours of the accused man say reported seeing prostitutes' visit the house since the couple moved in there about two years ago.

Shanita Araipu said she believed one had stayed about three days.

Because of the nature of Ms Manning's injuries, detectives had theorised that they could have a serial killer on their hands.

Detective Inspector Williams said at this point there was "nothing obvious" that linked the accused man to Ms Manning's murder.

The man was not known to be a client of Manning and was not known to have a vehicle – instead using the bus as transport.

Ms Manning is believed to have been picked by her killer up from the corner of Peterborough and Manchester Streets about 10.35pm.

However Inspector Williams they would be "looking at all that" – including the possibility the accused had a vehicle at the time of Ms Manning' murder - "in due course."

The 27-year-old's mutilated body was found in the Avon River by a kayaker on December 19.

She had been strangled, stabbed numerous times and beaten with something like a piece of reinforcing steel.

Inspector Williams would not be drawn on when they would be interviewing the man in relation to Ms Manning's murder.

- with NZ HERALD STAFF