Name of atacked woman released - Operation Burrows

Christchurch Police confirm that the name of the female victim in hospital is Lydiah Muthoni MUNENE and her husband is Samuel Ngumo NJUGUNA.

The deceased victim was removed from the Burrows Place address late yesterday and the post mortem will take place this morning. Detective Inspector Greg Williams says he expects to complete formal identification around 1pm today and his name will then be released.

Detective Inspector Greg Williams says that over night police have contacted the families of the deceased and Mrs MUNENE who have been devastated by the news.

"The investigation indicates now focus primarily on Friday evening through to the early hours of Saturday morning. We believe that the children were removed from Burrows Place sometime early on Saturday morning between midnight and 6am, by their father. It appears that this is also the likely time the two people were attacked in the house.

We are also focussed on tracking the movements of a red 1995 Peugot Saloon TH 438 throughout the weekend from Friday night. This vehicle belongs to Samuel NJUGUNA."(photo on web site)

DI Williams says that work continues at Burrow Place and at 33 Patrick Street and he expects to be there for the next couple of days.

Mrs MUNENE remains in an induced coma and will be so for the next few days.

"The small Kenyan community in Christchurch has bonded together in support of each other and we are working closely with them as are support agencies."

Yesterday Interpol contacted the Kenyan High Commission in Canberra.