Coroner issues reminder about hitchhiking

  • Breaking
  • 29/09/2013

By 3 News online staff

A coroner is reminding the public about the dangers of hitchhiking following the sexual assault and murder of a tourist by a convicted sex offender.

The body of Czech national Dagmar Pytlickova, known as Dasha, was found next to the body of Jason Frandi in the Pentland Hills forest in Waimate on May 27 last year.

She had been in the country for about three months with her sister Jana on a working holiday, and had been working in the Cromwell area. Ms Pytlickova was known to hitchhike despite warnings from her friends and was attempting to get from Cromwell to Cave.

Ms Pytlickova, 31, had been picked up by Frandi, but never made it to the hotel where she had agreed to meet her sister. She was reported missing on May 27.

Her body was found later that day next to Frandi's, about 32km west of Waimate.

Coroner Richard McElrea says Ms Pytlickova had been killed and sexually assaulted by Frandi, who later committed suicide.

Mr McElrea says he agreed with the police stance on hitchhiking which says the practice is not recommended, but if travellers do chose to hitchhike they should not do it alone.

The advice is for all members of the public, including overseas visitors, he says.

3 News

source: newshub archive