By Charlotte Shipman
The family of a New Plymouth woman killed while she was jogging last weekend has spoken to 3 News.
Anne McCullough's body was found in the back seat of an abandoned car, and the driver has been charged with her murder. Her funeral was held today.
Ms McCullough's husband Jeff and her sister Jane say life without her is hard to bear.
“You can't put a gauge on it... you can't measure it,” says Mr McCullough.
Hundreds turned out to farewell the 45-year-old at a private service. So many attended that it was also broadcast outside.
The McCullough's two children both spoke.
“[I am] very proud of them, been proud of them all my life, been proud of my wife all my life,” says Mr McCullough.
They had been married for 19 years and McCullough says the service was about celebrating his best friend.
“The wonderful family person she was as a wife and a mother. I think the stories just need to stay within, that's for the people to share that were there.”
He finds comfort that so many also wanted to share those stories.
“You don't know what to expect, it doesn't surprise me. I'm very humbled for the support we've got. I'm humbled for the people who came for Anne.”
Ms McCullough’s sister Jane Armond says she will be missed.
“It's been a huge week and we've had a lot of support and without that we wouldn't be standing here today,” she says.
They say their strength is a reflection of Ms McCullough’s, and they didn't want to talk about how she died, where her body was found or about Matthew Kinghorn - the Waitara man accused of her murder.
3 News