The man who is accused of killing a 16-year-old girl in Manurewa, Auckland last month can now be named.
Vikhil Krishna, 23, pleaded not guilty today in the High Court in Auckland via audiovisual link. Krishna's name suppression lapsed this morning
The young woman was found dead at a non-residential property near McVilly Road in the south Auckland suburb in September.
On September 17 Krishna was arrested and charged with her murder.
The 16-year-old was extremely loved by her family and friends, Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Hayward from Counties Manukau Police said last month.
"They are absolutely devastated by what has happened to her," he said.
"We also want to acknowledge this incident was extremely upsetting to the Manurewa and wider Counties Manukau community and while the arrest today does not change the outcome, we hope it offers some degree of reassurance to the community."
After her body was found a post-mortem examination was completed and police reviewed CCTV footage from the wider area.
The woman has interim name suppression.
