Liberty Rose Templeman

Police in New Zealand have started a murder investigation into the killing of a British teenager whose body was found in a stream. The body of Liberty Templeman, 15, who was originally from Brightlingsea, Essex, was found in Kerikeri, on the north tip of the country, on Sunday.

A post-mortem examination has revealed that her death was not accidental, police have told BBC News Interactive. Liberty, known as Libby, had emigrated from Essex in 2005 with her parents Andrew and Rebecca and brother William, 12.

A New Zealand Police spokeswoman said: "As a result of an initial scene examination, police have launched a homicide investigation.

"A police team of 30 staff are currently working on this investigation."

Liberty had attended The Colne Community School in Brightlingsea for more than a year, leaving when she was in year eight.

Former classmates issued a statement through the school, which said: "Friends of Liberty remember her as a bubbly, lively girl who always had a smile.

'Popular student'
"She was a peacemaker who was sociable and really enjoyed spending time with her 'funky' friends, as she described them. She was a popular student with a great sense of fun."

Principal Nardeep Sharma added: "Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this very difficult time." Liberty, who was known as Libby to friends, moved with her family from Kerikeri to Auckland two weeks ago.

She returned to the small town where she used to live at the weekend to visit friends and was dropped off outside a school before going to meet her boyfriend at the supermarket where he worked.

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Update 10 November 2008

A 14-year-old boy appeared in court in New Zealand yesterday charged with murdering and sexually assaulting a British teenager. The boy appeared in Kaikohe Youth Court on one charge of murder and one charge of indecent assault and has been remanded to reappear in court on 17 November.

Police said Liberty's family were relieved about the arrest and were now focusing on her funeral, which is due to take place in Kerikeri tomorrow.

Her parents told journalists: "Liberty was a very bright, vivacious girl with a huge personality and big dreams. It's so unfair that our beautiful girl has been taken while still so young and with so much to give. We know that she will be missed terribly by all who knew her."
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Update

An estimated 1,000 people, including two local MPs and the mayor, packed into the community centre in Kerikeri.

They joined her parents Andrew and Rebecca, and brother William, 12, along with other family members who had travelled from Britain for the ceremony.

Liberty's coffin was painted orange, her favourite colour, and it rested on the stage where she had performed in the town pantomime only three weeks ago.

Stu Angus, chaplain of Kerikeri High School which Liberty had attended, told the family: "We are so sorry for your loss.

"We are so sorry it happened in our community and, in your time, we humbly ask you to forgive us."

He held out an olive branch he had taken from his orchard, saying: "I would like to extend this to you and your family, Andy, as an ancient symbol of peace."

Nick Brown, her drama teacher, told the congregation: "May we all aspire to live like Libs."

The first of the mourners began to gather 90 minutes before the service began, dressed in bright colours as Liberty's parents had requested.

Service sheets were orange, on top of the coffin was a bunch of wild flowers and bright orange gerberas, and orange ribbons were tied in bows to the black 1973 Cadillac hearse.

Printed on the programme were quotes from Liberty, including one that read: "Everybody is absolutely gorgeous in their own way. Everybody."

Her favourite music was played, video clips of her life and drama performances were shown, and poems were recited and songs sung that had been written especially for her.

Tributes were read from former schoolfriends in Brightlingsea, Essex, from where the family emigrated to New Zealand in 2005.

The Rev Simon Coleman, a friend and church minister who had travelled from Britain, thanked the community on behalf of Liberty's family for welcoming and embracing them.

At the end of the service, 15 helium-filled balloons, one for each year of her life, were released.

Liberty's schoolfriends from Kerikeri High School stood hugging each other and weeping as they threw sprigs of rosemary -- the traditional herb of remembrance -- into the hearse, before it drove away for a private family cremation.

Anthony Kiely, the funeral director, said a "fantastic array" of artwork by her schoolfriends in Kerikeri decorated the walls inside the community centre.

"It shows what a huge impression this young girl has had, and is having, on her friends," he said.

A boy accused of murdering his ex-schoolmate Liberty Rose Templeman has reappeared before a court in New Zealand.

The 14-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Kaikohe Youth Court and further remanded to reappear on December 15.

She had emigrated from north Essex with her family in 2005 and used to attend Colne Community School in Brightlingsea.

The boy has been in the custody of Child Youth and Custody since his arrest on November 4.

Euology read for Libby by her 'auntie Debbie' Capon
“ TO be taken away like this is a great shock for my sister Rebecca, Andy, Billy, grandparents, aunts and uncles, family and friends.

“Life is too short, but if you have a dream try and fulfil it the best way you can as they did, going to New Zealand for a better life, though it was short for Liberty.

“Liberty was a ray of sunshine, her smile and eyes tell us what a gorgeous and lovely girl she was. Her personality was bubbly, fun and full of life, as we all knew. Liberty wanted to be an actress and I have no doubt in my mind she would have been successful in the passion of her dream.”

Mrs Capon continued: “Do you remember, Liberty, the box I gave you? This is what it read: ‘Here is a very special gift that you can never see, the reason it’s so special is it is just for you from me. Whenever you are lonely, or feel a little blue, You only have to hold this gift to know I think of you. You never should unwrap it, leave the ribbons tied, Please hold the box close to you, it’s filled with love inside.’ “As we stand near the water’s end, looking in the distance, and beyond the sea just kisses the sky, how touching that is. A fluffy cloud will take our Liberty to the angel’s own back-stage, where she will be our star, our Liberty.”