‘She lit up the room and made people laugh’

A labourer was granted continued name suppression yesterday when he appeared in a closed court session charged with the murder of Christchurch woman Nicole Marie Tuxford.

Tuxford, 27, was found dead in a house in the suburb of Merivale three weeks ago. The man charged with her murder also faces two charges of sexual violation and stealing a vehicle. Judge Gerald Nation continued the defendant’s interim name suppression, saying it was important for a fair trial.

Her family, in a statement released by police, said they were “broken by the tragic loss” of their beloved daughter, sister and partner.

“Nicky, as she was known, was a 27-year-old accounts manager for an international logistics company based in Christchurch. She was highly thought of and considered to have a bright future with the company.

“Nicky was a funny, bubbly character who lit up a room with her personality and made other people laugh. She loved people and had ambitions to work as a counsellor so she could help others,” they said.

She had spent two years training at the Christchurch Phoenix Light Foundation, a “a spiritual and metaphysical training academy for those who wish to start their own spiritual/selfdevelopment business”, according to its website.

Foundation director Phyllis Brown said Tuxford had become a “Reiki master practitioner” through her courses. Reiki is a form of alternative medicine involving “laying on hands” and based on the concept of an “unseen life force energy” flowing through all humans, according to the International Centre for Reiki Training.

Brown described Tuxford as a “very private” woman. Teachers and students at the foundation were devastated by Luxton’s death.

“Nicky . . . had such a deep wisdom. She would always come away with some really profound insights into the human soul.”

The accused has been remanded in custody until June 29.