Buried-body case in court

The woman accused of murdering a man and burying him in the backyard of his north Christchurch home appeared in court yesterday.

Rena Joyce, 55, a kitchen hand — listed on court documents as living at the same address as her alleged victim — is charged with murdering Martin Orme Berry by stabbing or cutting on December 29.

It is understood she was his partner and had lived with him for some time.

In court her lawyer said she did not want name suppression. She said her client also wanted to be known by her maiden name, Moloney.

Joyce made a brief appearance in the Christchurch District Court before Judge Quentin Hix.

He refused applications by the media to film and photograph Joyce.

She was remanded in custody until her next appearance in the High Court at Christchurch next month.

Police were alerted to the “location of the body” at a property on Main North Rd in Papanui on Wednesday morning. Officers travelled to the house — down a long, tree-lined driveway — and made the discovery.

A scene examination continued yesterday at the house, where Berry had lived since about 2002. His mother and sister are also listed as residing there but have never done so.

His sister used Berry’s address for her mail when she went overseas in 2006 and his mother has been in a rest home for some years.

The family were “devastated” by Berry’s death, and were not ready to comment further.

The investigation into Berry’s death — named Operation Leaf — continues.

Police have asked anyone who has had contact with or visited the occupants of 139a Main North Rd, Papanui, since Christmas Day to call 105 or Crimestoppers (anonymously) on 0800 555 111.