Funeral today for killed jogger

A funeral service for Jo Pert, the mother of two killed while jogging, is being held near her hometown this afternoon.

The 41-year-old was killed while out jogging in the upmarket Auckland suburb of Remuera on January 7.

A 24-year-old man who is not believed to have known Ms Pert has been charged with her murder. He has name suppression until his next appearance in the High Court at the end of this month.

The funeral will be held at 1pm in Raetihi, near Whanganui.

Ms Pert grew up in Whanganui and lived in Taupo before settling in Auckland. She travelled the world and spent nine years living in London before having her children.

She was studying towards a Health Science masters degree in traditional Chinese medicine, but when she was in London she worked as an accountant.

Police said a family who lived in the house on Shore Rd, Remuera, where Ms Pert was found, saw her out a window just before 11am on January 7. It was evident she needed medical help and they called 111.

However, it was too late. It later emerged Ms Pert could have been there for an hour or more before she was found.

Tributes have been flowing for Ms Pert since her death, including from MP Paula Bennett, who had known Ms Pert for 25 years and was a close friend of her and her family.

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