Kyle Whorrall was killed at a bus stop on St Johns Rd in Meadowbank, Auckland. Photo: SUPPLIED
A 16-year-old has appeared in Youth Court, after being charged with the murder and aggravated robbery of US student Kyle Whorrall at an Auckland bus stop.
Police announced the teen's arrest this morning.
The teen appeared before the Youth Court in Auckland this afternoon.
The youth was charged with robbery and murder with a stabbing or cutting weapon.
A 32-year-old North Shore woman has also been charged with being an accessory after the fact to murder and appeared in the Auckland District Court today.
Both were remanded in custody and would next appear at the High Court in Auckland on May 14.
Neither made a plea nor applied for bail.
Whorrall, who was a PhD student, was attacked at a bus stop on St Johns Road in Meadowbank on Saturday night.
He was taken to hospital but later died from his injuries.
Police have described it as "a senseless attack".
Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin said police on Tuesday afternoon obtained further information about a black SUV that they had been looking for.
"I can confirm we have now located this vehicle on the North Shore, and it has been seized by police with a detailed forensic examination under way."
Police had also executed a search warrant at a Beach Haven address.
"A 16-year-old male was arrested and charged with aggravated robbery and murder," Det Insp Baldwin said.
"He will be appearing in the Auckland Youth Court today."
Det Insp Baldwin said police were aware there were other occupants in the SUV at the time the victim was attacked.
"Our enquiries are ongoing to locate these persons of interest, and I encourage them to do the right thing and come into their nearest police station or phone us."
Kyle Whorrall's flatmates honour their friend at the vigil in Auckland on Thursday. Photo: RNZ
Officers appreciated the support from the St Johns community, and further afield.
"There has been a stream of information that has come into us, and we are working through this.
"We value and appreciate the community support," Det Insp Baldwin said.
Police were still seeking information on a white Toyota ute, which had been cut off by the SUV.
"I want to reiterate to those occupants that they are witnesses, and their information is important to our investigation," Det Insp Baldwin said.
"Please come forward at the earliest opportunity."
Vigil held near where Whorrall attacked
A vigil was held this morning on St Johns Rd near the scene of the fatal attack.
Residents, friends and colleagues attended. They laid flowers and paid tributes to Whorrall.
A colleague of Kyle Whorrall's from Manaaki Whenua pays tribute to him at Thursday's vigil. Photo: RNZ
His flatmates said he was a kind, gentle person and would "unapologetically geek out" on things he was passionate about.
They said he had found family in New Zealand and lots of people cared about him.
Former professors in the UShave paid tribute to Whorrall, describing him as "soft-spoken, polite, and enthusiastic".
A former tutor of the PhD student said the entomology community in California had been rocked by the news.
