Lois Tolley, who was shot dead at point-blank range in her Upper Hutt home earlier this month, had been "counting the days down" until she was reunited with her mother for Christmas.
But the day never came. Ms Tolley, 30, was found dead in her flat on December 9. Police said she was shot "execution-style" in one of the worst cases they'd seen in recent memory.
They are still on the hunt for four young men seen walking towards Ms Tolley's house on the night of her death, and then leaving the property a short time later.
Ms Tolley's mother Cathrine MacDonald and aunt Lorraine Duffin spoke to media on Tuesday to appeal for information about the case.
"If you have noticed a change with a member of your family and think they may have something to do with this, please, please come forward and speak to the police," Ms Duffin said.
Ms Tolley's family has received information Ms Duffin said "could only have come from the people that were there at Lois' on that Friday night". That information is now with police.
"You hold the key to unlock our torture and we are calling on your conscience to help us get some closure and bring some cowards to justice."
Ms Duffin had a message for the culprits: "To the people who did this - you have been able to spend Christmas with your loved ones," she said. "Think about what it has been like for us. It has been our worst nightmare and Christmas will never be the same again.
"You know who you are. And other people know who you are."
Ms Tolley's mother and aunt paid tribute to her kindness.
"She'd give you the shirt off her back," Ms Duffin said. "No matter what she was going through, she was always there for everybody."
"Lois and our family were so excited and looking forward to Christmas," said Ms McDonald. "It was going to be our first family Christmas together in a while. It was taken away from us."
Newshub.
