Officer in Charge extends thanks

Christchurch Detective Senior Sergeant Virginia Le Bas has thanked Police staff and community volunteers for their involvement in the first homicide investigation where she’s been the officer in charge (OC).

The high-profile Operation Davis was launched after Christchurch 15-year-old Marie Davis went missing on 5 April. Her body was recovered from the Waimakariri River 12 days later on 17 April.

A 38-year-old Christchurch man was arrested on 28 April and charged with her murder and sexual violation.

Virginia says an array of people worked on the case, both from Canterbury district and out of town, such as the Dive Squad who were “a godsend”, and the local Community Watch which distributed flyers.

She singles out Senior Constable Phil Simmonds for coordinating the search and rescue volunteers, including jet boaters who combed the Waimakariri River.

“Phil did an exceptional job,” Virginia says. “I was able to hand over that whole aspect of the operation and have it run for me.”

She also praises the work of Family Liaison Officer, Detective Constable Kelly Larsen, who played a critical role with Marie’s family – particularly when there was no body and few answers.

“The Family Liaison Officer is absolutely a right-hand man or woman for the OC,” she says.

Virginia describes being in front of the media as important and a role “that needs to be dealt with” to raise the investigation’s profile and bring information forward.

“You’ve then got a whole lot of people helping and contributing to put the whole jigsaw puzzle together.”

Virginia says the young team working on the case has been very involved, enthusiastic, keen to learn, and has maintained a real focus on Marie as a person throughout.

Overall she describes her first job as OC of a homicide as “exciting, challenging and rewarding”. The operation is now in the critical phase of preparing for the prosecution.