The Star: April 01, 2021

The Star Thursday April 1 2021
6
NEWS
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
Grieving sister of murdered sex worker
• By Elizabeth Binning
THERE’S A wooden framed
piece of artwork in Petra Starr’s
living room that brings back
bittersweet memories every time
she walks past it.
It’s a drawing of two women
with green hair and one of the
things her sister, murder victim
Ngatai “Mellory” Manning, was
most proud of in the months
before her violent death.
In the 13 years that has passed
since her body was found near
the Avon River, Starr has struggled
greatly with the loss of her
beloved older sister.
“I just really miss her. I get
nostalgia . . . it’s so hard,” the
24-year-old told the NZ Herald.
“Some days I have good days
and some days I just think about
her too much.”
Now for the first time she’s
decided to speak out about what
happened, what life has been like
without her sister and to make a
plea for anyone who has information
about the unsolved case
to come forward.
“It’s taken time for me to get
over my grief enough to talk
about it.”
Manning, known to those
close to her as Mel, was brutally
raped and murdered in 2008.
She was picked up in Manchester
St, where it is believed she
was then taken to a property in
Avonside and brutally killed by
stabbing, strangling and assault
with a metal pole. Her body was
then dumped in the Avon River
and found the next morning by a
kayaker.
The 27-year-old had been into
drugs and prostitution since her
teens but had recently vowed to
go straight after her older sister,
Jasmine, who was in witness
protection, took her own life.
However, in spite of leaving her
profession behind her, joining
a methadone programme and
starting an art course, Manning
went back to the streets one more
time before Christmas so she
could get enough money to buy
presents for her family.
Her mutilated and partially
naked body was found floating
in the Avon River the next day.
CHERISHED:
Petra Starr at
her home in
Christchurch
holding an
artwork by her
sister Mellory
Manning.
PHOTO:
GEORGE
HEARD ​
Only one person has been tried
following her death – Mauha Huatahi
Fawcett, who was jailed for at
least 20 years but is now awaiting a
new trial after successfully appealing
his murder conviction.
Police, who believe there were
others involved in the murder,
say the case remains open and
have appealed for anyone with
information to come forward.
It’s a call Starr echoes, saying
there will be no justice for her
sister until everyone responsible
is held to account.
Starr was just 12 at the time of
her sister’s murder.
In spite of the age gap, Starr
and Manning were very close
and her sister would often bring
her gifts – one of the last ones
was an early Christmas present,
a Beanie Boo soft toy that she
still treasures.
Another treasure is a note
Manning left on a whiteboard for
her younger sister three days before
her death: “Petra, I love you
poppit. I’ll try come visit 2moro.
Love ya bub, your sis Mellory.” It
was signed off with a heart and
she still has it.
Starr also still clearly remembers
the last conversation she had
with her sister.
“The last thing I said to Mel
was, ‘Stay safe, I love you.’
“Then, that night, it’s like my
worst nightmare came true.”
Two months after Manning’s
death, Starr discovered Jasmine,
whom she knew very little about,
was her biological mother and
the woman who raised her was
her grandmother.
Normally, the shocked and
struggling teen would have
talked to her sister about it but
Manning was no longer there
to support her and her mental
health deteriorated.
Retail Space For Lease
at Yaldhurst Park
Yaldhurst Park is a new residential and commercial subdivision on Yaldhurst Road, just
5 minutes from Christchurch airport in the established suburb of Yaldhurst.
A new retail centre is to be built on the corner of Sir John McKenzie Ave and Rannoch
Drive, and expressions of interest in leasing retail space are being taken now.
McDonald’s, NPD, & Inspire Health medical centre
already open in the commercial area.
254 residential lots SOLD OUT
For more information
on retail leasing contact:
Jerome O’Sullivan 021 901 874
josullivan@infinitywanaka.com
www.yaldhurstpark.co.nz
25 %
off
Resene Premium Paints,
Wood Stains, Wallpaper,
Decorating Accessories
and Cleaning Products!
Come in and see us today at
your local Resene ColorShop!
or shop online at shop.resene.co.nz
Discounts off the normal retail price of Resene premium paints, wood stains, primers, sealers,
wallpaper, decorating accessories and cleaning products until 13 April 2021. Available only at
Resene owned ColorShops and participating resellers. Paint offer also available at participating
Mitre 10 MEGA and selected Mitre 10 stores. Valid only with cash/credit card/EFTPOS purchases.
Not available in conjunction with account sales, promotional vouchers/coupons or other
offers. Excludes trade, ECS, WallPrint, wall decals, Crown products and PaintWise levy.