Family ‘broken by the tragic loss’ after woman’s alleged murder
THE family of a former Dunedin woman allegedly murdered in Christchurch earlier this month are ‘‘broken’’ by her death.
Police yesterday released the name of Nicole Tuxford (27), who was killed in the suburb of Merivale on April 7.
She was born and bred in Dunedin and moved to Christ church to pursue her professional career after she finished high school.
A 54yearold man has been charged with murder and aggravated burglary in relation to her death.
Ms Tuxford’s family said in a statement released by police they were ‘‘broken by the tragic loss’’ of their daughter, sister and partner.
‘‘Nicky, as she was known, was a 27yearold 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 spiritual and metaphysical training academy for those who wish to start their own spiritual/selfdevelopment business’’, according to the foundation’s website.
Foundation director Phyllis Brown said Ms 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 lifeforce energy’’ flowing through all humans, according to the International Centre for Reiki Training.
Mrs Brown described Ms Tuxford as a ‘‘very private’’ woman, and said teachers and students at the foundation were devastated by her death, adding she would be sorely missed.
‘‘Nicky was just a really lovely, very gentle soul.
‘‘She had such a deep wisdom. She would always come away with some really profound insights into the human soul.
‘‘She was just the nicest, kindest, softest, most gentle person I’ve met in a long time.’’