"I click with him", Essex backpacker Grace Millane said of alleged murderer

Grace Millane messaged her friend "I click with him so well" about theman who went on a date with her, then allegedly strangled her, a court in New Zealand has heard.

Ms Millane's friend, Ameena Ashcroft, said in a letter read to Auckland HighCourt that she "thought something was out of place" when the young woman sent a series of messages on December 1, 2018. She said in the messages, Ms Millane admitted she wanted to "get smashed" with the man she met on Tinder.

The Crown has alleged that the man, who cannot be named due to a suppression order, murdered the young woman from Wickford, Essex. The court heard he shoved Ms Millane's body inside a suitcase before burying her in a forested area outside Auckland.

The defence claims the death, on either December 1 or December 2 last year, the date of Ms Millane's 22nd birthday, was accidental.

Security footage played for the jury showed Ms Millane, who was on around-the-world trip, visited city centre bars with the accused 27-year-old, where they drank alcohol.

They kissed repeatedly at the Bluestone Room before walking arm-in-arm a short distance into the lobby of the CityHigh hotel, where the defendant was staying.

Ms Millane was shown to follow the defendant out of the lift at just before 10pm. It was the last time she was seen alive.

Gillian Millane, the mother of the deceased woman, left the court in tears as detective Samuel Luker described a series of photographs found on the defendant's phone.

Those photographs taken in the early hours of December 2 showed intimate photos of a woman's body, the detective said, which the Crown has alleged were taken of Ms Millane after her death.

The defendant, wearing a navy blue suit and black shirt, did not react as Gillian Millane walked out of the courtroom.

David Millane looked directly at the defendant as the detective confirmed pornography was looked at on the man's phone after his daughter's death.

But he cast his eyes down when he heard the defendant had searched online for "rigor mortis".

The data showed the man had used Google to browse websites for large duffel bags, suitcases and car hire.

The defendant's phone was also used to search for "flesh-eating birds" and "are there vultures in New Zealand?" days later, on December 5.

Additionally, records showed the defendant had searched online for "the hottest fire", "large bags near me" and "Waitakere Ranges" - where Ms Millane's body was later found contorted inside a suitcase - before going on another Tinder date later that day.

Her parents had wept in court as they heard that earrings and a small metal tag inscribed with the word "freedom" were also found inside the suitcase.

The trial continues and is expected to last five weeks.