Motives in chilling murders still mystery
In the absence of arrests after the murder of Lois Tolley, police are keeping an open mind about why the Upper Hutt woman was killed.
The apparently targeted murder in Wallaceville on December 9 fuelled ongoing local speculation about the motives for the crime.
More than 30 cops were now working on the case, Detective Senior Sergeant Glenn Barnett said on Friday.
Police were still patrolling the suburban area where Tolley lived, he said.
‘‘It’s not a random attack. We don’t think they’re going round targeting people in Upper Hutt.’’
Some people police had spoken to did have gang connections but no particular gang was the focus.
Multiple sources said Tolley had a troubled past but was well-liked and generous.
Upper Hutt’s police station was open 24/7 and Barnett said the inquiry team had been working weekends and during the holidays.
More than 100 people had been spoken to, around half of whom had provided statements by Friday afternoon.
Tolley was shot and stabbed minutes before midnight on Friday December 9. Four men were thought to have gone to the Ward St address that night.
‘‘We know that a person broke down ... calling out ‘what have we done’?’’’
Barnett said police were still investigating the possible involvement of one or more women in the attack too.
Cops had received useful feedback from the public, he said, after releasing fresh images of several cars possibly linked to the killing.
‘‘We’ve had a number of calls around the vehicles and details of who might own them. We’ve got to rule them either in or out of the enquiry.’’
Some Wallaceville locals said it might be in the offenders’ best interests to give themselves up, before police or even members of the criminal underworld got hold of them.
Police had a family liaison officer updating Tolley’s
SUSPECTS
Male, skinny, tall (about 6’2’’ /188cm) in 20s or 30s, with dark, baggy clothing, hoody with hood up, dark, low-slung pants, possibly white underwear, carrying a big rectangular object.
Male, shorter than first suspect, also skinny and in dark baggy clothes.
Male, tall, lean, with dark clothing, long dark pants and hoody with hood up.
Male, sounded younger than others, thought to have been seen upset outside Tolley’s flat. relatives, some of whom lived in Australia.
Tolley’s devastated mum Cathrine MacDonald, and aunt Lorraine Duffin made a public appeal on December 27.