Mellory Manning death: Fresh police probe sends shockwaves through sex work industry

A police appeal for fresh information more than a decade after the brutal murder of a Christchurch sex worker has sent shockwaves through the industry.

No one has ever been held to account for 27-year-old Mellory Manning's death. It was Christmas time in 2008 when her battered body was found floating in the Avon River.

"She had been the subject of a prolonged beating, serious assault - we think there was more than one offender involved," said Canterbury Police's Detective Inspector Greg Murton.

Nobody's been held responsible for her murder, but there's a new push from police to rectify that. They're trying again to find someone that for 13 years they've only known as 'Male B'.

"The forensic examination identified a 'Male B' from the semen sample that was taken and we're yet to identify who that person is," said Det Insp Murton.

Manning had been a sex worker for several years, before taking a break from the profession. She returned to Manchester St on December 18, 2008 to earn money to buy Christmas presents. 

The last sighting of Mellory Manning was on her corner at around 10:40pm. Because it was Christmas time, the area was busy. Police say lots of people would have seen her as she was wearing a distinctive pink skirt and a blue and white polka dot bikini top.

Friends described her as feisty and streetwise. 

"At about 10:45pm she was known to have sent a text and was not seen after that," said Det Insp Murton.

The fresh appeal for information comes four years after Mongrel Mob prospect Mauha Fawcett had his conviction for Manning's murder quashed.

Police always suspected a number of people were involved in her death.

The fresh police probe has sent shockwaves throughout the sex work industry. 

"It's been just the unknown and knowing there's nasties around," said Sue Merrit of the New Zealand Sex Workers Collective. "It's put a lot of uncertainty out there."

Operation Dallington - named for where her body was found - will remain open until police can answer the question that's plagued them for so long - who is Male B.