This archive report was first published on 22 November 2019.
On the eve of her 22nd birthday, last December, British tourist Grace Millane embarked on a year-long around-the-world holiday after graduating from university. She had arrived in Auckland just a few days prior, where she would meet her killer on the Tinder dating app.
The 27-year-old accused, whose identity was suppressed under a court ruling, had pleaded not guilty to Millane's murder. However, a jury convicted him after a three-week trial, which concluded on November 22, 2019.
Prosecutors labelled the defendant's defence as a 'labyrinth of lies', saying he took pictures of Millane after her death, searched online for sites to dispose of the corpse, watched pornography, and arranged another Tinder date for the following night.
Prosecutor Brian Dickey described the defendant as seeking 'total domination' over his victim. The jury took about five hours to find him guilty, and he is due to be sentenced on February 21, when the judge is likely to lift his identity suppression.
Millane's parents were in the public gallery throughout the trial, and wept when the guilty verdict was read out. Her father, David, paid tribute to 'a beautiful, talented, loving daughter' outside the court, saying 'It will not reduce the pain and suffering we've had to endure.'
