Fiji funeral for mum killed in Auckland

‘‘Hundreds’’ of people have farewelled a young mum who was found dead at her home.

A funeral for 24-year-old Arishma Chand was held at her parents’ house in the town of Nasinu, Fiji, Fiji News reported.

Chand, the mother of a 3-yearold daughter, was killed in the early hours of Sunday morning at her house in Manurewa, south Auckland.

She had returned home with her partner about 12.45am and was alive when he left.

Shortly afterwards, she phoned her parents saying she believed there was someone outside.

They rushed to the house, but found her lying dead in a pool of blood.

A 41-year-old man, whose name is suppressed, appeared in the Manukau District Court on Thursday charged with Chand’s murder.

Chand worked at a childcare centre run by the Anand Isher Educational and Community Trust, a charity focusing on Indian migrant community needs and issues.

Raj Singh, the administrator of the trust, said Chand was a lively and loving member of the team.

‘‘I think she’ll be remembered as a very smiling, bubbly young girl who loved spending time with children,’’ Raj Singh said.

Chand’s body was flown to Fiji on Thursday night for ‘‘the final rituals’’, and ‘‘hundreds’’ of people attended her funeral, Fiji News reported.

Her body was to be cremated on Friday afternoon.