Man pleads guilty to murdering young NZ woman

A man has pleaded guilty to murdering young Auckland woman Lena Zhang Harrap.

Harrap, 27, who had Down syndrome and was visually impaired, was found dead on September 22, 2021 in an area of bush off a walkway in Ōwairaka/Mt Albert, where she would often walk.

Two days later, Shamal Sharma, 32, was charged with her murder and sexual violation.

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Sharma was set to go to trial next month, but pleaded guilty on Wednesday to Zhang Harrap's murder, sexual violation and driving a motor vehicle in a dangerous manner.

A number of Harrap's family and friends filled the public gallery at the High Court at Auckland on Wednesday.

Justice Sally Fitzgerald acknowledged them.

Sharma was convicted and remanded him in custody to appear for sentencing in early 2024 as a number of reports were needed, Justice Fitzgerald said.

Prosecutor Matthew Nathan said the Crown may be seeking a sentence of preventive detention.

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Police found Sharma in a vehicle in Papatoetoe, South Auckland, about 1.30am on September 24 after launching an appeal to find Zhang Harrap's killer.

After the arrest, Harrap's family expressed gratitude for the love and outpouring of support they had received from the public.

Members of the community had helped with a suburb-wide search for her after she failed to return home from her morning walk.

Locals laid flowers and wrote messages near where her body was found at the top of Summit Rd, Ōwairaka Domain.

This story has been reproduced with permission from Stuff.co.nz.

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Man pleads guilty to murdering young NZ woman
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