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More information released
26 January 1999
Detective Inspector John Winter, leading the investigation into Kirsty Bentley's murder, today informed the media that it appears the killer was familiar with the area Kirsty was found in. “Obviously the offender who left Kirsty’s body here would not have counted on it being found so early”, he said, as the location is so remote.
The area surrounding the crime scene is covered with gorse and dense scrub and as such, police are appealing to those that may have noticed scratches on anybody around the time Kirsty went missing to come forward. Police officers working the scene have received many scratches to their face, legs and arms.
Although details are yet to be released regarding the cause of death, a statement was issued saying the Bentley family are totally satisfied with the way police are handling the investigation. Also being investigated is the sighting of a brown unoccupied Toyota car parked near where the body was found on New Years Eve.
The funeral took place on Monday, 25 January 1999 at St Stephen’s Anglican Church in Ashburton, where tributes were paid to a "young woman who had a big heart and a gentle nature" by friends and her teacher.
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January 1999: Detective Inspector John Winter releases further infomation regarding the case |
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