A 31-year-old butcher has appeared in the Christchurch District Court, charged with the murder of Christchurch woman Renee Duckmanton.
He was arrested at a Christchurch property around 11pm last night.
Ms Duckmanton's family was kicked out of the courtroom after an outburst directed at the accused as he walked towards the dock.
The victim, a 22-year-old sex worker, was last seen on Peterborough and Manchester streets in the city's red-light district on Saturday night.
The following day her body was found on the side of a road near Rakaia River, about 60km southwest of Christchurch.
The man accused of her murder has name suppression, and was remanded without plea until his next appearance before the High Court on June 10.
Ms Duckmanton's family described her as "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," they said in a statement.
Outside the district court, Ms Duckmanton's aunt Sue McGrath told Newshub they all "miss her and love her".
She says her heart goes out to the other sex workers and hopes extra security such as cameras are added to the streets.
Ms McGrath says police and the public have been "great". Ms Duckmanton's nine-year-old sister said it's been a sad time for the family.
"Hopefully we can get through and get this out of our heads."
Anyone who saw a silver Audi travelling to Templeton through Riccarton Rd after 8pm on Saturday May 14 is urged to contact police.
Any sightings of the car in Rakaia on Sunday May 15, between 6pm and 8pm, should also be reported.
Four properties are also being investigated.
Newshub.
