Op Dallington # 6

New Zealand Police National News Release
1:36pm 21 December 2008
The investigation into the death of Christchurch woman Ngatai (Mellory) Manning is now into its third day and the primary focus is establishing who was the last person to pick her up that evening.

"We have had two people come forward last night who have assisted in showing her movements earlier in the night," Detective Inspector Greg Williams said.

"One of those persons has brought her into town after picking her up walking along Blenheim Road at about 9.17 pm. The other was a client who picked her up at around 9.30 p.m. from the corner of Peterborough Street and Manchester Street."

The client told Police that Mellory directed him to the car park of the old Caledonian Hotel in Caledonian Street St Albans.

"I have directed a search of that car park and environs and that was commenced this morning. We will also be visited homes that adjoin this property" DI Williams said.

Police believe Mellory was dropped off back in Manchester Street at about 9.55 pm.

Call data from the phone located in Mellory's bag indicate that the last known text that she made was at 22.43 hours Thursday night 18 November.

"Mellory's watch is currently being examined by ESR and one of the key aspects is to establish if it has stopped because of contact with the water. At this stage I can say that it has suffered some water damage and that that time that it has stopped is 10.59."

DI Williams said there was a possible sighting of her back at the corner of Peterborough and Manchester Street at about 10.15 p.m.

"Regardless of that her known action is this text at 10.43 p.m. so the team is currently focussing in on action between 10.15 pm to 11.30 to try and identify any vehicle that she might have got into.

"I am very pleased that we have had one of her clients that night come forward. It is important that we respect the confidentiality of these people and ask that any other person who might have employed Mellory that evening or the night before the come forward."

DI Williams said one thing that has helped people recall Mellory was the distinctive clothes that she was wearing that night, specifically a blue bikini top with dots and a short red skirt. She could have been wearing black ankle length boots of black high heeled shoes with two straps.

ENDS

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