30 Dec 2008

Memorial for Christchurch street worker

6:02 am on 30 December 2008

Family and friends attended a memorial service on Monday afternoon for the prostitute Mellory Manning, who was killed and dumped in the Avon River 11 days ago.

Ms Manning's younger brother Robin Manning said it has been tough for the family to cope with her death, and the worst Christmas the family has ever had.

Police investigating the homicide say they are working through sightings of a blue Ford Falcon Ms Manning was seen getting into the night she was killed.

Mellory Manning, 27, sent a text message at about 10.45pm on 18 December. Her body was found in the Avon River the next day. A post mortem revealed she had been strangled, beaten and stabbed.