Onehunga bus murder: Police say woman may have known man accused of killing her

Onehunga stabbing victim - Bernice Louise Marychurch,

Bernice Louise Marychurch died after being attacked on a bus in Onehunga.
photo: Facebook

Police believe a woman fatally stabbed on an Oakland bus this week may have known the man accused of killing her.

Bernice Louise Marychurch was murdered on bus No. 74 on Wednesday around 2:30 p.m.

The man accused of killing her, 37-year-old Cael Leona, appeared in Auckland District Court on Friday morning after surrendering to police on Thursday.

Cal Leon is accused of murdering Bernice Louise Marychurch on a bus in Onehunga on October 23. He made his first appearance in Auckland District Court on October 25.

Cael Leona appeared in court through AVL on Friday.
photo: RNZ / Lucy Xia

Acting Detective Inspector Alice Robertson, Acting Detective Inspector for the City of Auckland, said police were still working to establish the victim’s movements on the day of her death and were appealing for the public’s help.

“Police are continuing to trace the victim’s movements and now believe she may have known the man accused of murdering her.”

Robertson said they were reviewing a number of CCTV footage in the Panmure and Onehunga area between 8.30am and 1.30pm on October 23, which showed the victim with the man at several points throughout the day.

He said they would like to hear from anyone who was at these places and at these times:

Outside Woolworths Onehunga, around 8.30am
Boarding the bus at Church Street, Onehunga at approximately 9am and disembarking at 9.30am at the bus stop at Tripoli Road, Panmure
Between 13:30 and 14:00 in the town of Panmure and its bus station
Around 2:00 p.m. boarding bus No. 74 at Panmure bus station.

Police also wanted to hear from anyone who saw the victim and the man who was wearing:

baseball cap with Niue written on the front
Color camouflage sweatshirt with a zippered hood
Light pants and white shoes
With a black backpack.

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

Police Minister Mark Mitchell said earlier this week there will be a greater police presence on public transport in Auckland.

He said it was a senseless and horrific attack and people deserved to be safe on buses, trains and ferries.

Anyone with information can contact police by calling 105 on 241023/8926 or online at 105.police.govt.nz.