Grace Millane: Blood stains reveal clean up operation after backpacker 'murdered' by Tinder date, court told

Blood stains found in the room where British backpacker Grace Millane died show that there had been a “clean up” operation, her murder trial has been told.

The expert who led the scientific sweep of her alleged killer's apartment said two suspected blood stains were discovered during tests and that one “could have come from a bucket”.

Miss Millane, from Wickford in Essex, died during a round-the-world trip after going on a date with a man she met on dating app Tinder in Auckland, New Zealand, on the eve of her 22nd birthday.

Jurors heard Miss Millane was throttled during sex and that her body, stuffed into a suitcase, was discovered in a shallow grave days later in a forested area outside the city.

The use of luminol highlights the alleged blood stains on the floor of the apartment of a 27-year-old male accused of murdering Grace Millane
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The 27-year-old defendant denies murder, saying the backpacker’s death was accidental.

As the trial continued on Friday, Dianne Crenfeldt from the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) told the jury suspected blood stains were between the accused's bed and a wardrobe.

The scientist added: "The shape of the probable blood staining and the presence of blood on the floor provided strong support that clean-up of blood had occurred in this area."

DNA expert Turlough Thomas-Stone said "no male DNA was detected" in samples taken from the woman's fingernails and from the suitcase in which her body was found.

Grace Millane, 22, who was allegedly murdered in New Zealand in December 2018.
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But he added that "damp, moisture, exposure to the elements" can make it harder to identify DNA samples taken from gravesites.

"Given the time between the alleged event and the taking of these samples, that could be a potential explanation (for the absence of male DNA)," he added.

Toxicologist Diana Kappatos said testing showed no illicit or prescribed drugs and the presence of 106 milligrams (mg) of alcohol per 100 millilitres (ml) of blood in the deceased's body, double the legal limit for drivers in New Zealand.

Grace Millane at The Mexican Cafe in Auckland with the 27-year-old male who is accused of murdering her
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But Ms Kappatos said that microbial action after death may have increased or decreased the concentration of alcohol in Ms Millane's body.

The Crown has alleged the defendant murdered the young woman and shoved her body inside a suitcase before burying her in a forested area outside Auckland.

Ms Millane's friend, Ameena Ashcroft, said she "thought something was out of place" when the young woman sent a series of messages on December 1 2018 in which Ms Millane described wanting to "get smashed" with the man she met on Tinder.

Security footage showed the pair kiss repeatedly at the Bluestone Room before walking arm-in-arm a short distance into the lobby of the CityHigh hotel, where the defendant was staying.

Ms Millane was shown to follow the defendant out of the lift at 9.41pm. This was the last time she was seen alive.

Grace Millane inside a hotel lift with the 27-year-old male who is accused of her murder
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Gillian Millane, the mother of the deceased woman, left the court in tears as detective Samuel Luker described a series of photographs found on the defendant's phone.

Those photographs taken in the early hours of December 2 2018 showed intimate photos of a woman's body, the detective said, which the Crown has alleged were taken of Ms Millane after her death.

The defendant, wearing a navy blue suit and black shirt, did not react as Gillian Millane walked out of the courtroom.

Data from the man's phone showed he had used Google to browse websites for large duffel bags, suitcases and car hire.

The defendant's phone was also used to search for "flesh-eating birds" and "are there vultures in New Zealand?" days later, on December 5 2018.

Records showed the defendant had searched online for "the hottest fire", "large bags near me" and "Waitakere Ranges" - where Ms Millane's body was later found contorted inside a suitcase on December 9 2018 - before going on another Tinder date later that day.

New Zealand courts have banned reporting the defendant's name and the country's government has asked international media to respect that ruling.

The trial continues.