8 Jun 2012

Site blessed where Czech tourist's body found

5:08 pm on 8 June 2012

A blessing has been held at the site near Waimate where the body of Czech woman Dagmar Pytlickova was found.

The 31-year-old tourist, also known as Dasha, was found dead in a remote South Canterbury forest block on 27 May next to the body of Waimate man Jason Frandi.

Police say the blessing took place about midday on Thursday at a small clearing where Ms Pytlickova was discovered.

Residents, land owners, local iwi and members of the police attended the ceremony.

The head of investigation, Detective Senior Sergeant Marion Neil, says police are continuing to appeal for information or sightings of Ms Pytickova or Mr Frandi before their deaths.

Police believe the woman was trying to hitch-hike to South Canterbury.

They are appealing for any sightings of Jason Frandi's car, a 1997 two-door silver BMW.