The man who murdered Auckland woman Lena Zhang Harrap in 2021 has been sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum period of 19 years and six months.
Shamal Shamar also received an 11 year and three month sentence with a minimum period of seven years for sexual violation, to be served concurrently.
Harrap didn't return home after going for a walk in Mount Albert in September 2021. Her body was later found in bush off a walkway near Owairaka Domain.
Two days later, Shamar was arrested and charged with her murder after a manhunt. He pled guilty to killing Harrap in October last year.
Shamar appeared in the High Court in Auckland on Thursday morning in front of Justice Edwin Wylie.
During Shamar's sentencing on Thursday, Harrap's mother, Sue Harrap, turned to Sharma in the dock and addressed him directly.
"You could have chosen not to hurt her, to walk away," she said.
Sue also spoke directly to her daughter, calling her a "little warrior" and also by the nickname "Beans".
"But you didn't let disabilities limit or define you," she said.
Harrap's father, Martin Harrap, spoke of his daughter's love of dance and music.
"Lena has gone, and I am heartbroken," he said.
"Lena spent the last hours on this earth with the worst of humanity. She lost her life because Shamal Sharma wanted to satisfy his desires ... [He] disposed of her as if she was rubbish."
Harrap, 27, had Down syndrome and her death prompted an outpouring of support for her family and friends.
After her death, flowers and cards were laid at the entrance to the Owairaka Domain where Harrap normally took her walks.
The New Zealand Down Syndrome Association said they were "shocked" by the news of Harrap's death.
"The loss of a child is the worst possible nightmare for any whānau ... condolences go to Lena's family and friends," the New Zealand Down Syndrome Association said in a statement in 2021.
Harrap's family also paid tribute saying they were grateful for the love and outpouring of support they received from the public.
"We acknowledge that people want to express their grief and love for Lena and our family," the family said in a statement in 2021.
"Lena received great joy, friendship, acceptance and belonging through two amazing charitable organisations; those being Heart Kids and StarJam.
"We would ask you to direct your aroha through supporting these two charities, so others may continue to benefit."
Then-Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who was also the MP for Mt Albert, said the tragedy was "heartbreaking".
"My thoughts are with Lena's family and friends and the wide number of people who knew her from the Mt Albert community and through her various networks. We're all so devastated by this senseless attack," Ardern said.
Heart Kids said the organisation was "shocked" by the news of Harrap's death.
"Lena and her whānau are much-loved members of our Heart Kids community, and in particular the Auckland branch of Heart Kids," said Dr Ruth Gorinski, who was the acting CEO of Heart Kids in 2021.
"We feel privileged to have enjoyed Lena's bubbly presence at so many of our Heart Kids events, camps, and coffee groups."
