Early arrest for double homicide ‘heartening’ for staff and community

In mid-June a 52-year-old Feilding man was arrested and charged with the murders of Margaret Waldin and Ted Ferguson.

The arrest came on day seventeen of the investigation. OC Operation Rain, Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Sheridan says considerable progress has been made since Margaret Waldin’s and Ted Ferguson’s bodies were discovered on the morning of Sunday 29 May 2005.

A team of approximately 29 police investigators, along with assistance from ESR scientists, a forensic pathologist, search teams, Feilding police staff and a team of nonsworn police personnel has been working on the investigation.

“There are still ongoing enquiries in respect of this investigation and this may continue for some time,” says Craig.

Approximately 25 recruits from the Royal New Zealand Police College helped search at the Feilding tip looking for items associated with the murders.

Central District Commander Superintendent Mark Lammas says it is pleasing to have an arrest so early in the investigation.

“Police staff from Wellington, Eastern, and Waikato Districts have been involved with the investigation,” says Mark. “It hasn’t been an easy investigation but the result is heartening especially for the community of Feilding where there has been general concern following the homicide at Marton which is still under investigation.