Police seize a vehicle from a Hornby address related to the murder of Renee Duckmanton

The family of Christchurch woman Renee Duckmanton say the arrest of a man for her murder is "bittersweet".

Police investigating the 22-year-old sex worker's killing stormed at least two Christchurch properties on Thursday night.

They arrested a 31-year-old man who lived at an Ilam address. They seized a car from a Hornby property and other vehicles elsewhere.

JOHN KIRK-ANDERSON/FAIRFAX NZ Police remove a car from a Blankney Street, Hornby, address in relation to the murder of Renee Duckmanton.

Duckmanton's sister, Jess Duckmanton, said the family was "thankful and relieved" the police had made an arrest.

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SUPPLIED Christchurch woman Renee Duckmanton.

"But it's bittersweet. It feels like too little too late. We can't have our gorgeous girl back and that's so hard to come to terms with.

"I still feel like this is a missing person's case and we will still find her."

ARREST OFFERS NO SOLACE

BLAIR ENSOR/FAIRFAX NZ Police have cordoned off a house in the Christchurch suburb of Ilam, after a person was arrested in relation to the death of Renee Duckmanton.

Detective Inspector Darryl Sweeney said the 31-year-old would appear in the Christchurch District Court on Friday charged with murder.

"While this arrest will not offer any solace for the loss of Renee, it's an important step for her family as they continue to grieve," he said.

"Police do have reason to believe that the death of Renee was related to the sex industry in central Christchurch," Sweeney said.

Duckmanton was last seen alive in the city's red light district, near the intersection of Manchester and Peterborough streets, about 9pm on May 14. Text messages showed her boyfriend was increasingly worried after her cellphone went dead and she disappeared.

Her badly burnt body was found at the scene of a scrub fire on Main Rakaia Rd, north of Rakaia, about 7.40pm the next day.

Sweeney said on Thursday night: "The CIB and forensic specialists have also seized a number of motor vehicles across Christchurch and have begun detailed examinations of those, as well as four residential addresses. This work will continue for a number of days.

"It is important that we acknowledge the continued victimisation of the women working on Manchester St, and police will be working with other agencies to consider what measures can be put in place to address this."

POLICE: INVESTIGATION NOT OVER

Sweeney appealed to the public for the following information:

- Any sightings of a silver Audi near Manchester St, on the evening of Saturday 14 May, from 8pm onwards. That vehicle may have travelled to Templeton via Riccarton Rd during that evening.

- Any sightings of a silver Audi motor vehicle in the Rakaia area of Christchurch on Sunday 15 May between 6pm and 8pm.

Police would also like to speak to the occupants of a light-coloured motor vehicle sighted on Main Rakaia Rd, Rakaia, about 7.40pm on Sunday, May 15. That vehicle may have also been in Leeston about 7.50pm.

Sweeney thanked the public for their support and praised the investigation team who had "worked hard to get us to the point we are at today".

FAMILY WELCOME ARREST

Duckmanton's cousin, Tracey Lee McGrath, was "relieved" there had been an arrest.

"I don't know how to put it . . . I'm just extremely happy."

The last 11 days had been "really hard" for the family, McGrath said.

Duckmanton's family said in a statement: "Renee was a bright, bubbly, goofy young woman, who was very kind and trusting. Renee was deeply loved by her family and many friends and she will be greatly missed."

PROPERTIES RAIDED

Police raided a two-storey, red brick home in Barlow St, Ilam, where the accused lived, sometime after 5.30pm. It was cordoned off and remained under police guard.

A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said the property had been on the market for several months. It was rented room by room and was home to several people.

The occupants were quiet and kept to themselves, the neighbour said.

Police also raided a property in Blankney St, Hornby, and towed away a silver Audi.

Forensic staff were seen examining the car. Police tape surrounded the home.

A neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said a couple had lived at the rental home for about a year.

Police previously said they believed Duckmanton arrived in Christchurch's red light district, near the intersection of Manchester and Peterborough streets, shortly after 8.30pm on May 14.

A series of text messages show Duckmanton was with a client when her phone went dead and she disappeared shortly before 10.30pm that night.

SEX WORKERS AIDED INVESTIGATION

Anna Reed, from the New Zealand Prostitutes Collective (NZPC), said her organisation was "really, really relieved" an arrest had been made.

"I think a lot of the people on the street will be very relieved," she said.

Some in the industry had avoided working the streets over the past 11 days because they were scared.

They were also pleased about the increased police presence in streets popular among sex workers.

The NZPC played a role in assisting the investigation, Reed said.

"We've been talking to people, we've been talking about their personal safety and taking extra measures.

"There's certainly been a lot of dialogue and sharing of certain bits of information.

"I think the relationship we have with police has gone from strength to strength over the past few years and I think also that workers who might not normally talk much to the police they are pretty united on this front of this has happened to a member of their family and therefore it's just important to share whatever information there is," she said.

It was the fourth time a sex worker had been murdered in Christchurch since 2005.

"It has a huge impact, our memories are still there with the other three woman who have been murdered so that doesn't change.

"I think the fact an arrest has been made will bring a huge amount of relief to the community," Reed said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Christchurch police on (03) 3637400 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.