More witnesses sought
15:25, 29 April 2002
Public help still sought despite arrest
08:45, 24 April 2002
Man arrested for Kate Alkema homicide
23:48, 23 April 2002
Sightings sought
14:59, 23 April 2002
Reflective mood in walk for Kate Alkema
12:09, 21 April 2002
Police want more sightings
17:39, 17 Apr 2002
Family's plea for information
16:04, 16 Apr 2002
Looking for shoe and jacket
14:33, 15 Apr 2002
Police seeking information
13:46, 14 Apr 2002
Poster handout seeking information.
Copyright 2007 New Zealand Police
Kate wore clothing similar to this.
[Click on image for enlargement]
Copyright 2007 New Zealand Police
Kate Alkema.
[Click on image for enlargement]
Copyright 2007 New Zealand Police
Arrest made
A 21-year-old man was arrested on 22 April 2002 and charged with the murder of Lower Hutt woman Kate Alkema.
Background 13 April 2002
Police are investigating the murder of a 36 year old woman Kate Alkema in Lower Hutt.
Ms Alkema's body was found on the riverbank beside the Hutt River near Pharazyn Street at around 4.00 pm last evening.
Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Oxnam said the woman had left her home to go for a two-hour walk. The route she was familiar with was along Gordon street, across High Street, into Frederick Street, across Avalon Park to the Kennedy Good bridge before walking south along the riverbank on the eastern side of the river. She has then crossed the river at either the Ewen Bridge or Melling Bridge and walked along the track between these two bridges on the western side of the river before being killed.
However, Police are not discounting any other route she may have taken.
"The attack happened in broad daylight and it appears Catherine Alkema has been strangled or garrotted," said Mr Oxnam.
"This is a particularly unpleasant death so we are appealing for anyone who may have seen her on Saturday morning in the area of the Hutt River to come forward with any information."
Mr Oxnam said Police were unable to confirm where the victim was killed although her body was found on the riverbank approximately 400 metres south of the Melling Bridge.
