Emotional scenes at Auckland court as judge addresses Grace Millane's family

The man accused of killing British tourist Grace Millane has been granted interim name suppression.

The 26-year-old appeared in Auckland District Court this morning charged with her murder.

Standing solemnly in the dock, the man looked at the ground while Judge Evangelos Thomas addressed him.

Judge Thomas addressed the Millane family before beginning proceedings.

"I don't know what to say to you at this time, but your grief must be desperate," he said.

"We all hope justice will be fair and swift and ultimately brings you some peace."

A missing persons investigation was opened last week for Ms Millane after she failed to contact her family for three days, which her father said was very out of character for the 22-year-old.

Police found a body on Sunday in a location in the Waitakere Ranges, which they believe to be Ms Millane.

Emotional scenes at Auckland court as judge addresses Grace Millane's family
Photo credit: Newshub

Ms Millane turned 22 on December 2, the day after she was last seen alive.

Timeline:

Saturday, December 1

On Saturday the young artist was seen by her roommates at Base Backpackers in downtown Auckland, two weeks after she arrived in Auckland.

Wednesday, December 5

The Millane family filed a missing persons report with police, and social media erupted with concern as well as claims of sightings.

A missing persons poster was shared around the world.

Thursday, December 6

NZ Police released a photo of Ms Millane taken outside SkyCity at around 7:15pm last Saturday night.

Officers said they didn't yet have any evidence of foul play after reviewing CCTV footage from around the city.

Friday, December 7

A new sighting was confirmed of Ms Millane on Queen St on Saturday at 9:41pm, she'd been seen at the CityLife Hotel with a male companion.

He was questioned and released, and a scene examination at the hotel began.

Her father landed in the country from the UK.

Saturday, December 8

Police announced the search for Grace Millane had become a murder investigation.

A 26-year-old male, who had been questioned the day before, was charged with Ms Millane's murder.

Sunday, December 9

Police began to investigate a location in the Waitākere Ranges - and a body was found.

Monday, December 10

The murder-accused appeared in Auckland District Court for the first time.

Judge Evangelos Thomas said the family's "grief must be desparate."

A person in the public gallery called out 'scumbag' as the accused was escorted from the dock.

Newshub.