Accused’s apartment searched, car seized

A 27-year-old man charged with the murder of Auckland woman Blesilda ‘‘Blessie’’ Gotingco will appear in the North Shore District Court today.

His appearance follows a police search of his Birkdale apartment and the seizure of a car at the property yesterday.

Gotingco, 56, went missing on Saturday night after catching a bus home from her work in the city centre. A autopsy of a woman’s body found at Eskdale Cemetery is due to be carried out this morning. Police believe the body is that of Gotingco.

They will continue their search today of the 27-year-old man’s apartment on Monte Cassino Pl. Yesterday they took away an old grey BMW.

The apartment where the man lived had changed hands around Christmas, neighbour Wendy Drake Drake said.

Numerous people had lived there and were sometimes seen drinking on their apartment balcony at night, she said.

However, the other residents had since moved out, leaving the young man at the address, she said.

‘‘He was good looking and pleasant to talk to.’’

Friends, family and colleagues are remembering a woman who spread kindness and laughter.

A memorial service is being planned for Gotingco’s team at Tower Insurance.

Colleague Vanessa Dudley said Gotingco was fondly remembered by her workmates.

‘‘She’s been here 10 years so everyone has got stories to tell,’’ she said. ‘‘She is the one who always made them laugh.’’

Thousands of people, including friends, workmates and family, have expressed their sadness on Facebook pages set up for Gotingco.

‘‘Blessie always warmed my day with her sweet, friendly nature,’’ former colleague Czerina Kirkwood wrote.

Police said Gotinco’s family had asked for privacy.