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Source: ONE News -
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A special plaque has been unveiled in Wanganui as a memorial to one of the city's most brutal murders.
The riverside plaque, authorised by the local council, marks the spot where a 20-year-old was bludgeoned to death and her body dumped in the Whanganui River.
Tania McKenzie's body was found floating in the river in January 2005. She had been murdered on her 20th birthday.
Her body was so badly beaten and mutilated a judge was later to describe her as being like someone who had been in an aircraft crash or high speed collision.
Although almost five years have passed, the pain for her family remains.
"It's like it happened just yesterday for us," says Tania's mother Naelene McKenzie.
Ever since her death Tania's family and friends have maintained an unofficial memorial to her on the riverbank.
Now the local council says it recognises the terrible loss suffered by her family and has sanctioned a permanent Riverside memorial.
The plaque is sited beside the river and next to a busy road and walkway, a comfort to Tania's family and a very public reminder of their loss.
Twenty-eight year old skinhead Shane Randle was convicted of Tania's murder and sexual violation and was sentenced to preventive detention.
Tania worked as a barmaid in a hotel where Randle worked as a bouncer. It was after work late one night that he attacked her because she refused his advances.
The judge revealed Randle had more than 70 prior convictions for serious violent offences.
