Lisa Blakie Inquiry - Week Three

As week three of the inquiry into the death of Lisa Blakie starts, Police are confident that they will identify her killer.

“We’ve had a great deal of information from the public and we are gradually checking and collating this,” says Detective Inspector Rob Pope.

“As a result of the public information we’ve had, we’ve been able to eliminate certain periods of time at the Kowai no 2 bridge. (Lisa’s puppy was seen at and picked up from here around 2pm on Wednesday 2 February). We’d really like to hear from anyone who was camping or just stopped at the Kowai no 2 bridge on Saturday or Sunday 5/6 February.”

Mr Pope says that a black Cordia was seen to be parked at the Porter River lay-by late afternoon/ early evening on Saturday 5 February and this driver has not yet come forward. This driver of this vehicle is not regarded as a suspect however the inquiry team would like to be able to speak with them. Other drivers sought have come forward and helped Police.

“As a result of the media publicity we’ve spoken to the man in the kilt and his partner, seen camping at the Porter River lay-by on several days of the week Lisa’s body was found. They are an Auckland couple who were passing through. Their observations have assisted us a lot,” says Mr Pope.

The team on the West Coast has substantially completed their inquiries and is expected to return to Christchurch tomorrow. Other groups of detectives will be checking ski huts in the Lakes Lindon and Coleridge areas today.

Mr Pope says it is heartening that information is still coming in from the public.

“For a variety of reasons, people do not always recognise the significance of something they’ve seen. Something in the news may trigger it. Others may have been out of the range of news media for some time, or be unable to contact police immediately. These people are still coming forward with information and often have a great deal to offer.”

The number of staff on the inquiry will be boosted today by the addition of several experienced detectives however total numbers fluctuate daily according to court and other commitments.

Rob Pope, Detective Inspector

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