Murder victim named as Thai prostitute

An Auckland computer programmer charged with the murder of a Thai prostitute has appeared in court.

Police earlier said the 48-year-old woman appeared to have been dead for some weeks when her body was discovered at a house in the suburb of Western Springs on May 12.

The accused, who stood in the dock neatly dressed in a suit and tie, was granted further name suppression by Judge Anne Kiernan at the Auckland District Court this morning.

However, Judge Kiernan ruled the name of the female victim could now be released.

She was Nuttidar Vaikaew.

Police communications manager Noreen Hegarty said in a statement Ms Vaikaew worked as a prostitute out of her home address at 1/26 Warwick Street.

Police believe that Ms Vaikaew, also known to her clients as "Sky", died on April 17.

Prosecutor Rachael Reed told the court the accused and Ms Vaikaew had been in an "on and off" relationship prior to her death.

The accused’s lawyer, Nikolas Wintour, requested the man’s name suppression be continued until he had consulted with his client’s psychiatric doctor.

There were concerns for his mental health, Mr Wintour said.

Judge Kiernan remanded the man in custody for a further hearing next Wednesday.

Ms Hegarty said police wished to speak with any clients of Ms Vaikaew, particularly those who saw her in the period immediately before her death.

All information would be treated as confidential, she said.

- © Fairfax NZ News