Blessing held at Waimate site

A blessing has been held at the site near Waimate where the body of Czech national Dagmar (Dasha) Pytlickova was found last month.

The ceremony was conducted at around 12.00 midday yesterday [Thursday 7 June], after a light fall of snow overnight, at the small clearing in the forested area where Dasha was found.

The ceremony, which was led by representatives of the local iwi and a minister from the local parish, combined elements of recognising the tragic events that had occurred there, lifting the Tapu and blessing the area.

Members of the Police investigation team attended the ceremony, along with representatives from Blakeley Pacific Forestry, owners of the property, and the two adjacent landowners who laid flowers for Dasha on behalf of the local community.

Meanwhile, enquiries into the deaths of Pytlickova and Jason Frandi are continuing, with investigators focusing on establishing their respective movements on the afternoon of Saturday 26 May.

Head of the investigation, Detective Senior Sergeant Marion Neill, says no further confirmed sightings of either Pytlickova or Frandi have been received this week, and Police are continuing to appeal for information or sightings.

A significant number of participants in the Waimate Main School charity trail bike ride have now been interviewed, and information has also been gathered from members of the public and from acquaintances of both Pytlickova and Frandi.

A small team of investigators based at Timaru is continuing to work on the enquiry, with work expected to continue for some weeks before the file is forwarded to the Coroner, who will make a determination on the deaths.