4 Jul 2017

Man accused of Kim Richmond's murder named as her partner

12:11 pm on 4 July 2017

The man accused of the murder of Kim Richmond, whose body was discovered in a South Waikato lake last month, has been named as her partner.

Missing woman Kim Louise Richmond

Kim Richmond Photo: Supplied

Cory Scott Jefferies, 45, pleaded not guilty in the High Court in Hamilton today.

Ms Richmond, 42, went missing in July last year from her Arohena home.

Her ute was recovered from Lake Arapuni three weeks ago and her body was discovered inside.

Mr Jefferies will be back in court later this month for a bail hearing and has been remanded in custody until then.

He is the father of Ms Richmond's three children and the couple had been together for 26 years.