The man who killed Auckland hairdresser Marie Jamieson more than nine years ago has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum non-parole period of 15 years at the High Court in Auckland.
Joseph Martin Reekers was arrested in June 2008 after advancements in DNA technology linked him to the crime.
The body of Marie Jamieson, 23, was found dumped behind a West Auckland factory where Reekers used to work, nine days after she went missing in February 2001.
It was revealed in court on Tuesday that Ms Jamieson had her throat cut and was stabbed three times in the chest.
More than 50 of Ms Jamieson's friends and family members were in court as the sentence was read out, and many yelled out: "I hope you rot in prison."
DNA 'crucial'
Police say it's unlikely the case would have been solved without new technology and powers for searching the DNA database.
The officer in charge of the case, Detective Inspector Steve Wood, says Reekers was not among the initial 1600 people of interest investigated.
He says the DNA technology was crucial, and as time goes on it will become even more prominent in resolving homicides.
