Onehunga bus murder: Police say victim Bernice Marychurch knew her alleged killer

Bernice Marychurch was stabbed to death on a bus in Onehunga, Auckland, last Wednesday.

Acting Detective Inspector Alisse Robertson said: “Police… now believe he (the victim) knew the man accused of murder.”

“Police continue to trace the victim’s movements.”

Police are now seeking information from the public about her movements and occasions when she was seen with a man matching the following description: Wearing a baseball cap with “Niue” written on the front, wearing a camouflage-colored hooded sweatshirt with a zipper, wearing a light-colored t-shirt. colorful trousers and white shoes and a black backpack.

“The victim was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, light-colored shorts, black shoes and was carrying a black purse,” Robertson said.

Bernice Marychurch died after being stabbed on a bus on Church St in Onegunga, Auckland, on Wednesday. Photo / Hayden Woodward

“Information can be given to the police by reporting online. 105.police.govt.nz By using “Update Report” or by calling 105. “Please use reference number 241023/8926.”

Police saw CCTV footage showing the pair together in Panmure and Onehunga throughout Wednesday.

Kael Austin Leona, 37, was the subject of a massive manhunt and a public appeal from police following the fatal stabbing.

‘Beautiful mother did not deserve this’

A. Give a small page It was founded to support Marychurch’s son Kit and the rest of the family.

“Tragically, this Givealittle page is prompted by the stabbing and murder of Kit’s mother on a bus this week… This senseless act of violence has of course left Kit and her extended family devastated,” the page said.

“Kit needs our help and support now, so… we thought maybe we could reach out on his behalf to ease some of the financial burden he and his family will be carrying in the coming weeks.”

A man wanted by police in connection with the Marychurch murder turned himself into a police station a day after the incident and appeared in court on Friday. Photo / Hayden Woodward

Members on social media marychurch family He said their “beautiful” mother “didn’t deserve this.”

The woman on the bus told reporter His fellow passengers tried to help the victim.

“I held his hand every chance I could because I wanted him to know he wasn’t alone.

“Let it be known… No one dies alone in New Zealand.”

Sign up Daily HA free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.