‘First step’ in Tolley murder case
‘‘I know their names’’ is the message from a top cop to three suspects in the Lois Tolley homicide investigation.
On Tuesday, a 27-year-old man was arrested and charged with Tolley’s murder – two years and nine months after she was killed.
Tolley was found dead on the lounge floor of her Upper Hutt flat on December 9, 2016. She had been stabbed and shot.
Speaking outside of the Hutt Valley District Court yesterday, area commander for Wairarapa Inspector Scott Miller said four people had entered Tolley’s address on the night she was killed. ‘‘Today is the first step. We have arrested one of the four people. Our investigation continues at the same pace as it has. Now we are very much focusing on the other three suspects. My message to the other three is I know their names and we will continue to pursue them actively.’’
Every two weeks since her death, Miller had contacted Tolley’s mother Cathrine Macdonald to update her on their progress. ‘‘Often that has been very hard for the family. They are very strong.’’
Having one arrest was a win for the investigation team. There were ‘‘no timeframes’’ when the next arrest would take place, he said. ‘‘I feel really good. It is fantastic news . . . My main feeling of relief is for the family. Again it is very hard for the family, it is just another stage in this investigation.’’
Yvonne Tolley, an aunt of the victim, said it was a huge relief that an arrest had been made. ‘‘I would like to thank the police for continuing their search and getting the results . . . there is no rest, it doesn’t go, it doesn’t leave us.’’
Earlier yesterday, Tolley’s mother said she and her husband had ‘‘known for a while’’ that an arrest was imminent.
The man accused of Lois Tolley’s murder appeared in the Hutt Valley District Court yesterday and was granted interim name suppression and remanded in custody.