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Onehunga bus murder: Victim Bernice Marychurch knew her alleged killer, police say

Onehunga bus murder: Victim Bernice Marychurch knew her alleged killer, police say

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

“Police … now believe she (the victim) may have known the man who is accused of murdering her,” Acting Inspector Alice Robertson said.

“The police continue to establish the movement of the victim.”

Police are now asking the public for information about her movements and any times she was seen with a man matching the following description: wearing a baseball cap with the word Nuie on the front, a camouflage zip-up hoodie and light-colored pants. 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 bag,” Robertson said.

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

“Information can be reported to the police by writing a statement online at 105.police.govt.nz using Update Report or by calling 105. Please use 241023/8926,” she said.

Police have seen security camera footage of the two together in Panmure, Onehunga, taken throughout Wednesday.

Cale Austin Leona, 37, was the subject of a massive manhunt and public appeal by police after the fatal stabbing. Herald Leona was sentenced by Judge Debra Bell on May 15 for threatening to kill by stabbing and threatening a dwelling in a separate incident, the inquest heard.

“Beautiful mother did not deserve this”

AND Give a small page was set up to support Marychurch’s son, Keith, and the rest of the family.

“Unfortunately, the reason for this Givealittle page is that Keats’ mom was… stabbed and killed on a bus this week… This senseless act of violence has of course devastated Keats and his family,” the page reads.

“Keith needs our help and support right now, so … we thought maybe we could reach out on his behalf to try and ease some of the financial burden that he and his family will have to bear in the coming weeks.”

A man wanted by police over Marychurch's murder surrendered at a police station a day after the incident and appeared in court on Friday. Photo / Hayden Woodward
A man wanted by police over Marychurch’s murder surrendered at a police station a day after the incident and appeared in court on Friday. Photo / Hayden Woodward

In social networks, participants in Marichurch family said their “beautiful” mom “didn’t deserve this.”

A woman on the bus told RNZ that fellow passengers tried to help the injured.

“I just want to let her family know that she didn’t die alone, that I held her hand on the bus until she was treated and we did everything we could.”

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