The Murder of Carmen Thomas

In 2010 Carmen Thomas was reported missing by her ex-partner Brad Callaghan.

He told police she had failed to pick up their little boy as per their shared custody arrangement and he was worried. Police launched an investigation but there was no sign of Carmen. This case is one of New Zealand’s most high-profile murder investigations because of the brutality of Carmen's death.

Carmen Thomas was born on October 30th 1977, in the picturesque village of Benoni in South Africa. She came into the world as a beautiful, tiny baby girl with a full head of black hair that seemed to sparkle in the sunlight. Her parents, Teresa and Neville, were overjoyed to welcome her into their lives. As Carmen grew up, her family decided to move to the bustling port city of Durban, and throughout her childhood, Carmen's vibrant personality shone through in everything she did. She had a passion for singing, dancing, and playing sports, and her talent in these areas was undeniable. 

Not only was she gifted in the arts, but she was also a bright student who excelled academically. Carmen's friends were drawn to her magnetic personality, and they described her as the life of the party, always full of energy and enthusiasm. 

She had a loud, infectious laugh and a fearless spirit that inspired those around her. 

Her friends often joked that Carmen was the one who led them on wild adventures and convinced them to step out of their comfort zones. When Carmen was ten, her dad Neville sadly passed away, which had a big impact on her life. After that, her mom Teresa got married to Wayne Scott, her stepdad. Then, Carmen and her family moved to Whitby in Yorkshire England, to be closer to their extended family. But later, they decided to go back to South Africa. Although her family wanted to return to their home country, Carmen wasn't ready to leave her family in England and decided to stay. 

After finishing high school, Carmen moved to Cornwall where she lived with her relatives. During this time, she did different odd jobs to support herself. 

Sadly, also during this time Carmen was diagnosed with cancer. She fought it tooth and nail by getting chemo and managed to go into recovery. Later, when she was strong enough. Carmen decided to go back to school and enrolled in a marketing degree program in Southampton. She then moved to London to pursue a marketing career.

In her twenties, Carmen was a bit of a party animal who loved to have a good time, and

one night, she and a friend managed to get into the prestigious Cafe de Paris nightclub in London for free. Once inside, Carmen confidently made her way to the VIP area, where they were approached by a group of men who were immediately taken with the women. These men generously treated them to expensive whiskey and champagne, which they happily enjoyed. In the mid-2000s, Carmen and Brad Callaghan, a civil engineer, crossed paths while living in London. Brad was originally from Whakatane, a picturesque island here in New Zealand, where he was born and raised by his parents Jennifer and Philip. He completed his engineering degree from the University of Auckland in April 2001 before moving to Australia for a few years. Eventually, Brad relocated to England where he registered a business under the name BJJC Limited in March 2003. The company was located in Fulham, a vibrant area in West London known for its bustling markets, shops, and restaurants. Brad's business operated in the construction industry, providing engineering and architectural services to clients across the UK. However, despite its initial success, BJJC Limited ceased operations in November 2005. It's said that Carmen and Brad had met at a party, but the exact circumstances of their first encounter remain uncertain. What we do know is that they quickly hit it off and started dating, with Brad making a great impression on Carmen's friends. To Carmen, Brad was more than just a boyfriend - he was the love of her life, the most attractive person she had ever met. She couldn't help but affectionately refer to him as her "ultimate man". In short, Carmen and Brad's relationship seemed to be the epitome of passion and romance. In 2005, Carmen discovered she was pregnant with the couple's son. Some sources suggested that Carmen and Brad's relationship was volatile, while others said they were happy. Regardless of the speculation, their son, Jack, was eventually born, and both parents did an exceptional job of co-parenting together. Eventually, Carmen and Brad parted ways, but their breakup was amicable. They reached an agreeable custody arrangement for Jack, ensuring that their son continued to enjoy a loving and nurturing environment. When Carmen became a mother, she knew it was her calling. Her son Jack became her top priority and she became fiercely protective of him. Her friends often referred to her as a lioness, fiercely guarding her cub when it came to her relationship with Jack. Brad was also a dedicated parent and a doting father to Jack. A year after Jack was born, Brad moved to New Zealand and Carmen followed soon after. She was determined to ensure that Jack had both parents in his life, and she would go to any lengths to make it happen. Carmen moved to Auckland with Jack and settled in a suburb called Remuera, which was only a few blocks away from Brad. Remuera is quite a nice area in central Auckland. 

During this time, Brad got into a new relationship with a woman called Tanith Butler, and they eventually got engaged. Tanith later found out that she was pregnant. 

Carmen talked to her friends and said that she was happy for Brad and Tanith's new relationship. Carmen even had the chance to meet Tanith, and everything seemed to be going smoothly. Her friends actually admired her for handling the situation so well.

By June 2010, Carmen had found herself in a difficult financial situation and felt that she had no other option but to work as an escort at a gentlemen's club in Pakuranga, Auckland. Pakuranga is in east Auckland, and about 20mins from where Carmen lived.

Although she was not thrilled with this career choice, Carmen was determined to do whatever it took to provide the best life possible for her son, Jack. During this time, Carmen had to remain strong and steadfast in the face of many challenges. She was working long hours at the club, dealing with difficult clients, and trying to balance her job with being a single mother. Despite these obstacles, Carmen was determined to make things work. At this point in her life, Carmen's relationship with her mother, Teresa, was strained. The two had been fighting and were not speaking to each other. 

However, Carmen knew that family support was crucial during such a challenging time, and she had started taking steps to repair the rift between them. Carmen knew that having a strong support system was essential, and she was willing to do whatever it took to rebuild her relationship with her mother. On June 27, 2010, Carmen went shopping at the Greenlane Countdown at 7:10 PM. This sighting was the last time she was seen, and her bank account was also accessed for the last time. Carmen sent a message from her Facebook account at 8:14 PM the following day. Several days later, on July 3rd, Carmen texted her boss at the Pakuranga gentleman's club. Then, on July 13th Brad Callaghan called the Auckland police and reported Carmen missing. Brad explained that Carmen was supposed to pick up their five-year-old son, but she never arrived. He said that he tried calling Carmen several times but received no answer. 

When Brad reported Carmen missing, an investigation into her disappearance began. 

Around the time Brad called the police, residents in Hamilton discovered an abandoned unlocked vehicle they considered suspicious. They called the police, and after running the VIN on the car, the officers determined that it belonged to the missing person, Carmen Thomas. Hamilton is just over an hour away from Auckland, so quite the hike.. The investigation into Carmen's disappearance took a significant turn when crime scene investigators processed her vehicle for evidence. Inside the backseat of the car, they discovered a packed suitcase. As the investigators delved into the suitcase's contents, they were met with a shocking sight. Several items inside were covered in blood. 

As a standard procedure, the blood-stained items were swabbed and tested. The test results soon came back, confirming a shocking revelation. The DNA matched Carmen's blood. This development left the officers with no choice but to consider the possibility that the blood evidence was related to her disappearance. However, the detectives knew there could be a reasonable explanation for why there was blood on Carmen's clothes. They tried to remain open-minded, and considered all possible scenarios.

The investigators proceeded with a series of tests to determine the identity of whoever had been driving Carmen's vehicle. They swabbed various places inside the car, hoping to gather evidence to help them identify the person behind the wheel. However, all the tests eventually returned inconclusive. While the investigators searched through Carmen's vehicle, they discovered an unexpected discovery. Inside the glove compartment, they found two notes. One note related to a debt Carmen owed to the manager of her escort agency. And the other note contained cash for services that Carmen had performed under the name Misty, the alias she used when working.  Despite swabbing the note for any traces of DNA, they could not find the writer's profile. The lack of DNA evidence frustrated detectives and made them believe the writer had worn gloves to avoid leaving any forensic evidence behind. Detective Inspector Mark Benefield, the lead investigator on the case, couldn't help but feel there was something more sinister at play. The absence of DNA evidence and prints on the note raised suspicions in his mind. Benefield believed the writer had intentionally covered their tracks, suggesting there was more to the story than meets the eye. With the note providing little in the way of leads, the detectives decided to canvass Hamilton, where Carmen's car was abandoned. They hoped that witnesses in the area could shed light on who was driving the vehicle at the time of her disappearance. However, to their disappointment, no one came forward with any information. The next step in the investigation was for the detective to visit Carmen's apartment in Remuera, and upon entering Carmen's living room and bedroom, the investigators noticed nothing out of the ordinary. However, as they ventured into the apartment, they stumbled upon a chilling discovery in the bathroom. Blood stains were smeared on the sink, and diluted blood spots were visible in the shower.  As the investigators continued their search, they stumbled upon several more blood spots near the washing machine in the kitchenette. Investagots swabbed each spot and sent the samples to the crime lab for DNA testing. The blood found in various areas of Carmen's apartment was traced back to her. These bloodstains exhibited characteristics of high-impact blood splatter, suggesting a violent altercation had taken place. And, it was clear that Carmen had suffered a severe injury within her own home. To uncover further clues, the investigators used luminol. This tool allowed them to see traces of blood that had been meticulously cleaned up. The luminol revealed significant blood in the shower area, indicating someone had cleaned themselves. Furthermore, the investigators noticed footprints in blood on the carpet. In the kitchen, the investigators discovered kerosene had been smeared on the floor to cover flood evidence. The detectives then went to speak to Brad Callaghan since he was the one who reported Carmen missing. Brad told the detectives he understood because of his relationship with Carmen, he looked like the prime suspect in her disappearance. However, Brad swore he would never hurt Carmen. He gave over his fingerprints and DNA when asked, and gave the police his phone and cell phone records. You are probably wondering where Carmen's little boy is?

So, since Carmen was missing, she and Brad's son Jack remained in Brad's care for the time being. When Teresa Scott, Carmen's mother, learned that her daughter was missing, she immediately became concerned. The situation was particularly distressing for Teresa, because she was in South Africa and didn't have the money to make an emergency trip over. But, that was OK.. because Carmen's friends sprang into action to help. They organized fundraising events, raising money to support Teresa's journey to New Zealand. Teresa pleaded with the public through various media outlets, urging anyone with any information to come forward. She emphasized that Carmen would never willingly leave her five-year-old son Jack. Brad also told the media that their son Jack missed his mummy and wanted her home safely. During Carmen's disappearance, her loved ones created a Facebook page dedicated to finding her. The page was filled with photos of Carmen, updates on the ongoing investigation, comments from concerned individuals, and links to news articles covering her case.

It was a huge case here in New Zealand.. This page quickly gained traction, attracting nearly 2000 members.

On August 15th investigators revealed that Carmen's missing person case had been reclassified as a murder investigation based on the discovery of blood evidence inside Carmen's vehicle and apartment. There was alot of blood found.. It was an amount of blood loss that she wouldn't have survived. Forensic cell phone experts also thoroughly examined Carmen's phone records while she was missing. What they discovered was peculiar: Carmen's phone activity seemed to change significantly in the month or so before her disappearance. Initially, she sent close to 50 communications a day, but that number gradually decreased to just five. After two weeks, Carmen stopped responding to any communication altogether. The investigators found that the biggest change in Carmen's phone history happened weeks before her reported disappearance. Also, upon closer examination, it was discovered that the language used in her text messages had undergone a subtle change. Although, at first glance, this seemingly insignificant evidence was dismissed, the detectives soon realized that Carmen may have been deceased at that point, and someone was using her cell phone to impersonate her.  When examining the location of Carmen's cell phone around the time she disappeared, investigators noticed a peculiar pattern. 

Carmen's phone never pinged in Hamilton despite her car being discovered there.

Further investigation revealed that Carmen had been exchanging text messages with Brad, her son's father. However, when the investigators examined the cell phone location data from both phones, they discovered that both devices were in the same location at the same time. Now, that looks bad for Brad! Also, one of the key witnesses in the investigation was the landlady of Carmen's apartment. The landlady claimed to have heard a scream on June 29th. Two days after Carmen was last seen on CCTV footage. According to the landlady, the noise originated from Carmen's apartment. Unsure of what she heard, she immediately turned off her television, walked to the top of the staircase, and stood silent, waiting for any sound to repeat itself. She then heard a soft whimpering noise as if someone was crying. It was accompanied by a male voice saying, "Shh." Worried about her tenant's well-being, the landlady knocked on Carmen's door. However, she received no response. Wanting to check on her, she cautiously peered through the window and noticed some items in the apartment had been knocked over. This sight further heightened her concern. According to Carmen's landlady, after she knocked on Carmen's apartment door and got no response, Brad Callaghan appeared in the driveway, shortly after dressed in boxers and a shirt. The landlady told the detective that Brad was carrying a pair of jeans and his shoes. To explain his appearance, Brad told the detective that Carmen, who was going through chemotherapy, had vomited blood all over him and he had to take a shower. When asked how Carmen was feeling, he said that she was resting. Carmen's landlady also told the detective that Carmen's garbage bin was missing. The detective believed that the garbage bin was a logical way for a person to transport a body and could have been how Carmen's body was moved after she died in her apartment. Thats when a search started for Carmen's missing trash can.

Here in new zealand, every council rubbish bin has a serial # on it that links them to our addresses.

On September the 1st 2010, Carmen's missing outdoor rubbish bin was discovered near Brad's house. The bin was subsequently sent to the crime lab for examination and processing. During the investigation, the investigators decided to cut the bin in half. 

Upon inspection, lumionl, a reagent used for detecting blood, reacted positively, indicating a significant amount of blood. The DNA profile obtained from the bin matched Carmen's DNA profile. As the investigation intensified, the investigators discovered video footage of Brad at a local supermarket, accompanied by an associate, on the day Carmen's landlord heard her scream. This footage showed Brad purchasing cleaning products and plastic bags. Detectives interviewed Brad's coworkers, who said that one day during the summer of 2010, Brad uncharacteristically arrived for work early. However, since he was a supervisor, no one questioned his presence, even though he was not dressed for work. The coworkers claimed they were a meter short while pouring the foundation for the site. Meaning, concrete mix was missing.

Brad then informed his coworkers that they would have to cut the tip of the steel rod, which did not follow protocol. The detectives suspected that something may have been buried in the foundation that Brad had placed there earlier that morning.

On September 20th the police placed a camera into the hole at the worksite of Brad's employer, Manson TCLM, in central Auckland. However, they discovered nothing during their investigation. During their investigation, the detectives made a crucial discovery when they obtained the records from a second phone belonging to Brad. 

This revelation led them to track Brad's movements to Hamilton on the day Carmen's vehicle was left there. Additionally, they were able to place one of Brad's associates in Hamilton at the same time. With all the evidence piling up against Brad Callaghan for Carmen's disappearance and murder, the detectives eventually arrested him on September 21st 2010. However, despite this significant breakthrough, the investigation was far from over. The absence of Carmen's body presented a considerable challenge for the prosecution in securing a conviction. Upon his arrest, Brad's car underwent a detailed forensic examination. Investigators discovered blood-stained foam seats, indicating that the blood had been flowing. After removing the back seat, they found even more blood evidence. The blood was tested at a laboratory, and the DNA match revealed that the blood belonged to Carmen. Investigators conducted reenactments to determine the feasibility of Carmen's trash bin fitting into Brad's car, which they believed was the method he used to transport her body. These reenactments revealed that the bin could indeed be fitted into Brad's car, as there were smudge marks on the glass inside the rear windshield that appeared to be the wheels of the garbage bin. 

The investigators noticed the marks lined up perfectly with the spot on the glass, indicating that the garbage bin had come into contact with it. Moreover, the officers observed that the bin had been positioned in Brad's car with its wheels up and the lid opened. Because the lid opened, Carmen's blood would have flowed into the car, which explained the abundance of blood evidence. These reenactments provided valuable insights into the officers' theory that Carmen's body was transported to the disposal site using Brad's car. The detectives believed that Brad had written a note in Carmen's car indicating that she had a job in Hamilton in an effort to mislead the police. 

As part of the investigation, detectives seized several samples of Brad's handwriting from his home. These samples were then handed over to forensic handwriting experts, who examined Brad's writing and the note in question. 

Based on the analysis, the experts were able to determine that Brad was the letter writer. Despite their extensive search of Brad's home, the investigators failed to find any further evidence linking him to Carmen's murder or leaving her whereabouts.

However, during their investigation, they discovered intriguing searches on his computer. 

On July 28th 2009, the day before Carmen's disappearance, Brad conducted a series of disturbing searches. These searches included queries on how to knock someone out, how to kill someone, how to clean up after a crime scene, and other techniques to conceal tracks. Furthermore, Brad's computer showed numerous searches related to covering up tracks while committing a crime, disposing of remains, and dismemberment. The detective interviewed one of Brad's friends, who revealed that he had arranged a meeting with Brad at a Greenlane countdown supermarket. 

During this meeting, Brad told his friend to purchase garbage bags, a bottle of kerosene, and cleaning products. 

According to the friend, Brad met him at Oakhu Bay, approximately 5 kilometers from downtown Auckland. Brad disclosed to the friend that he had murdered Carmen and needed their boat to dispose of her body at sea. 

However, this friend made it bery clear that he had no interest in participating in the disposal of Carmens body. 

On September 27th, while Brad was in jail for murdering Carmen, his fiance, Tanith Butler, gave birth. Nine days after Brad was arrested, his attorney informed detectives that Brad had killed Carmen and provided the location where he buried Carmen's remains. He said that her remains were in a thick bush area with steep terrain in Auckland at the Waitakere Ranges. The crime scene investigators searched the area on their hands and knees until they discovered a hole. 

Inside the hole were storage bins with Carmen's remains inside. 

Unfortunately, the bins had slipped open, and the air had gotten inside, causing significant moisture. 

As a result, her remains were severely decomposed. 

Upon examination, the medical examiner determined that the cause of Carmen's death was blunt force trauma. 

This poor woman had her skull split in two, with a fatal strike behind the right ear. 

The shock caused by this injury was so severe that it caused damage to her brain stem, ultimately resulting in her death. 

The detectives discovered Brad had purchased a meat cleaver and 120-liter plastic bin on June 30th.

Further investigation led them to believe that Brad had dismembered Carmen's body into eight pieces. 

Brad severed her legs from her torso at the hip, each leg being severed through the knees into two pieces. 

He also severed her arms and head and placed the severed body parts into plastic trash bags. These trash bags were then encased in cement in paint buckets while her torso was placed in the plastic bin. In court, Brad pleaded not guilty to Carmen's murder. 

Carmen's loved ones were relieved that her search had finally come to an end.

However, they also expressed anger and sadness upon learning she was murdered.

Carmen's funeral was held at the Greenlane Christian Centre in Auckland on October 13th 2010. The service was closed to the media, but reporters without cameras were allowed to attend. Approximately 150 mourners gathered to pay their respects. Carmen was laid to rest in a white coffin. Throughout the entire service, her murderer's name was never mentioned. Instead, the attendees focused on discussing Carmen's dedication and the love she shared with her son, Jack. They highlighted how Jack would continue his life without her love and protection. Brad Callaghan's father, Phillip, expressed unwavering support for his son during an interview with the Star Times. 

Phillip said that Tanith, Brad's fiance who had just given birth to a son, also stood by Brad's side and was an exceptional young woman. According to Tanith's friends, her primary focus was taking care of her baby and navigating through this challenging period. Additionally, Jack was in the custody of Brad's mother, Jennifer. 

In the winter of 2011, Brad changed his pleas to guilty. He pleaded guilty to murder and attempting to pervert the course of justice. According to Brad, on June 29th the day when he killed Carmen, he went to her apartment in Remuera to discuss their son. Carmen had told Brad that their son was being bullied at the Victoria Primary School, a high-end school that Brad and his fiancée Tanith had moved to be closer to. During their conversation, Carmen expressed her desire to take Jack out of the school. 

She also told Brad that he had no say in this matter, as he was not Jack's biological father. This statement reportedly caused Brad to snap, and he felt an overwhelming sense of anger and loss of control. As a result, he struck Carmen several times in the face with their son's baseball bat. Carmen was crying throughout the altercation, and apparently Brad tried to calm her down, reassuring her that everything would be okay. However, he eventually hit her one final time on the right side of the head with deadly force, instantly killing her. Brad admitted to taking steps to dispose of Carmen's body by dismembering her remains, storing them in containers, encasing them with concrete, and burying them. Additionally, he said that he used Carmen's phone to text her friends and family to keep up the guise that she was alive, even weeks after he killed her. In order to further complicate the investigation, Brad also stated that he drove her car to Hamilton, making it appear as if she had encountered foul play in that area.

On March 30th 2012, the judge sentenced Brad to life in prison with a minimum non-parole period of 13 years and eight months. The judge who presided over the case said Carmen's murder was not only a tragic event due to the devastating impact it had on her family and son but also because it ruined Brad's life with his fiance and new baby and the life they had hoped to build together. According to the judge, Brad was an intelligent and talented man who had a promising future, which has now been lost. Carmen's Mum, Teresa Scott, addressed the court during Brad's sentencing hearing. She said that her life had been shattered and destroyed following her daughter's murder. And, the guilt she felt for failing to repair the relationship sooner consumed her daily. Teresa revealed that she had not been able to sleep since the incident, had struggled to concentrate, and had found it difficult to enjoy even the simplest activities, such as running. Furthermore, despite having compassionate employers, her work suffered immensely. Traveling between South Africa and New Zealand, where the murder occurred and the trial was being held, had taken a toll on Teresa's finances. Additionally, she had incurred expenses for sessions with a psychologist and medication, including antidepressants and sleeping pills. One of the most significant challenges for Teresa was the fact that she was unable to see her grandson without going through a lawyer. 

This process was not only emotionally challenging but also expensive. Wayne Scott, Carmen's stepfather, testified in court that he has experienced nightmares since her tragic murder. His voice shook as he read his victim impact statement, his voice filled with pain and anguish. He expressed his difficulty in forgiving someone for such a heinous crime, stating that he could not move past the part where his stepdaughter was dismembered.

The impact of Carmen's murder has been profound on Wayne. He has revealed that since her death, he has become introverted and relies on antidepressants and sleeping pills to cope with his grief. And, these medications have affected his ability to carry out his job duties to the best of his abilities. As a result, he was asked to take leave his job. Carmen's immediate family expressed gratitude to the police involved in the investigation and the New Zealand justice system, stating that they were satisfied with the outcome and commended the police for their professional and compassionate handling of the situation. However, other members of Carmen's family, her friends, and even strangers expressed dissatisfaction with what they deemed a light sentence. One of Carmen's cousins voiced his frustration on social media, advocating for life imprisonment without parole or even the death penalty for the perpetrator, Brad. 

This person argued that there was no justice for Carmen. Another individual expressed their wish that this case had been heard in the United States, as they believed that a different legal system might have produced a different outcome.

Brad Callaghan is eligable for parole in 2025. I hope they don't let him out. They shouldn't do..

Our legal system isn't the strictest, so there is always a chance he manages to worm his way out.. But I really hope he doesn't.

Carmen was a beautiful woman, just trying to raise her little boy..

This case will stick with me forever.

Also, from what i have heard... Jack is doing well and lives under a different name for privacy reasons.