30 Mar 2012

Relief for family of Mellory Manning

10:47 am on 30 March 2012

The brother of Christchurch woman Mellory Manning says the arrest of a man who has been charged with her killing is a huge relief to the family.

Police charged Mauha Fawcett, 24, on Thursday with the kidnapping and murder of Ms Manning in 2008.

When Mr Fawcett appeared in court in Auckland his lawyer said his client did not want to apply for name suppression because he did not commit the crimes he is charged with.

Mr Fawcett was remanded in custody to appear in court again in Christchurch on Monday.

Ms Manning's brother Robin Manning says he was surprised to get the call from police on Thursday morning notifiying him of the arrest.

He says as the years have gone by, the hope of an arrest has diminished, but he believes the police have done a fantastic job and would have made an arrest earlier, had it been possible.