Father left ‘frustrated’ by police test wait
The father of murdered Timaru woman Lisa Blakie is frustrated over a lack of contact from police about potential new leads in his daughter’s murder.
Police agreed to seek a DNA sample from a former Timaru gang member, now living in Australia, after he was linked to the case by the man convicted of Lisa’s murder last year.
However, Doug Blakie says he has had no contact from police since the beginning of 2016, leaving him ‘‘frustrated’’ and questioning police’s commitment to the case.
Darfield man Timothy Taylor was convicted of the murder in 2002, but both Blakie and a former police officer who worked on the case have maintained that more people were involved.
Their stance has been in contrast with that of police, who have maintained Lisa’s killer is already behind bars.
In an emailed statement, Detective Superintendent Peter Read confirmed the DNA sample had not been taken.
‘‘Police have not yet been able to secure a DNA sample from a person in Australia, however this is not from lack of trying.
‘‘Police do not have the authority to compel someone to provide a sample from an overseas jurisdiction.’’
In December 2015, police said the man had agreed to provide a DNA sample.
At the time, Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Murton confirmed police had contacted the man.
‘‘I understand from speaking to the detective who contacted him that he is happy to cooperate.’’
A police liaison officer in Australia was to arrange for a blood or saliva sample to be taken within that week, Murton said.
‘‘We have no legal jurisdiction to collect a DNA sample in Australia, so it’s voluntary.’’
Murton’s comments were made on December 9.
He was still confident the DNA sample would be taken when he was contacted in February, although the man had decided to seek legal advice.
The subject of the DNA request, believed to be a former member of the Devil’s Henchmen gang, allegedly left for Australia after learning that police were planning to seek a DNA sample from him following the murder.
Blakie has criticised police for not contacting him since the beginning of the year.
‘‘I’ve been waiting,’’ he said.
He believed obtaining the DNA sample was an important part of determining the owner of a hair that was discovered on Lisa’s body.
The person the hair came from was never identified.
‘‘The public will expect police to pursue that inquiry, it was crucial.
‘‘I think the police are reluctant to find the owner of that hair,’’ Blakie said.
Read did not respond to a question about when police last contacted Blakie.
A spokesman for Victim Support said the organisation had a ‘‘strict practice’’ of not commenting on individual cases.
‘‘However, a key part of our role at Victim Support is to attach victims to a support worker who can help them navigate the justice system and work with agencies like police to make sure their needs are met.
‘‘We would encourage any victim who faces difficulties in getting the support they need to call our victims line on 0800 VICTIM to see how we can help.’’ waiting and