A man has recently been arrested and charged with the murder of Renee Larissa Duckmanton.
According to a press release, investigators had enough evidence to make the arrest and charge the 31-year-old man. Detective Inspector Darryl Sweeney said that CIB and forensic specialists have also seized motor vehicles across Christchurch and four residential addresses. Investigations are ongoing.
Renee Duckmanton, a sex worker, was last seen at around 9pm last Saturday, May 14, 2016. She was reportedly walking near the intersection of Manchester and Peterborough streets in Christchurch.
At around 7:40pm on May 15, her burnt body was found by a member of a public who was driving on the roadside verge of Main Rakaia Rd, about 500 metres from SH1. This is about 60km from where she was last seen.
The police are appealing to the public to help them with the following information:
- Any sightings of a silver Audi motor vehicle in the Manchester Street environs, on the evening of Saturday 14 May, from 8pm onwards. That vehicle may have travelled to Templeton via Riccarton Road during that evening. The attached photo shows a vehicle similar to that being sought.
- Any sightings of a silver Audi motor vehicle in the Rakaia area of Christchurch on Sunday 15 May between 6pm and 8pm.
- The occupants of a light-coloured motor vehicle sighted on Main Road, Rakaia at about 7.40pm on Sunday 15 May. That vehicle may have also been in Leeston township at about 7.50pm.
Police believe that Renee’s job in in the sex industry could be linked to her death. “While we are unable to go into any details ahead of the court process, police do have reason to believe that the death of Renee was related to the sex industry in central Christchurch.” said Mr Sweeney.
“It is important that we acknowledge the continued victimisation of the women working on Manchester Street, and police will be working with other agencies to consider what measures can be put in place to address this.”
Renee’s family has released the following statement: “Renee was a bright, bubbly, goofy young woman, who was very kind and trusting. Renee was deeply loved by her family and many friends and she will be greatly missed.”
