Police say that since the battered body of a 28 year old German tourist was discovered dumped at a remote location, southwest of New Plymouth two weeks ago, they are fully satisfied with the level of progress in the high profile murder investigation.
The Officer in charge of the investigation, code named Operation Lucy, Detective Senior Sergeant Grant Coward, says the stabbed and beaten body of BIRGIT BRAUER, was found by a jogger at Lucy's Gully, on Tuesday 20 September 2005, a fortnight ago today.
"Although the past two weeks of the investigation have been dramatic for all the police who are engaged in this enquiry, we are making steady progress in our search for the killer of the German hitch hiker," he said.
"Yesterday's discovery of two backpacks belonging to Ms Birgit Brauer was a significant breakthrough, and the flow of information which is being regularly provided to the police by the general public from all over New Zealand, is highly valued."
"Everyone in this country wants to see the killer of this German female tourist brought to justice, and all of my police investigation team are confident that we will do that." he said.
Mr Coward visited Lucy's Gully late yesterday, and while present saw a small bouquet of flowers that had been placed close to where the German tourist's body was found at scene.
"These flowers appear to have been placed by two unidentified backpackers with possible links to Germany," he said.
"The small card was written in German and English and is signed with the initials "B&T backpackers. The English version of the card reads......"
"a last farewell...
may your last journey be nice and peaceful
You'll always be one of us."
"The callousness of this murder has touched everyone and police are today continuing their enquiries in the South Taranaki region, with an area canvas of the rural sector near Eltham."
"We need all the assistance we can get from the public and the media." he said.
"The assistance so far has been phenomenal and without it we certainly would not be in the position we are today, in relation to the future outcome of this investigation," Mr Coward said.
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