A man accused of deliberately infecting people with HIV has been found dead in his prison cell.
Glenn Mills, 40, was to appear at Auckland District Court for a call over hearing on Monday.
The Department of Corrections confirmed Mr Mills died at Mt Eden Prison on Monday morning.
Assistant regional manager Grace Smit says staff provided medical assistance, but were unable to revive him.
Police say they conducted a scene examination and do not consider his death to be suspicious.
Mr Mills was arrested in May this year and faced 28 charges, including infecting with disease and wounding with reckless disregard.
The charges related to 11 male and three female complainants - seven of whom have been diagnosed with HIV.
Death a relief for witnesses - Kilmister
HIV peer support organisation Body Positive says Mr Mills' death has come as a shock.
Chief executive Bruce Kilmister says the organisation had been working with several young men who were prepared to give evidence against Mr Mills.
He told Checkpoint the death will bring them some relief because they will now not have to reveal very intimate details of their sexual activity in court.
"We were counselling a few of the boys and we had one boy who was close to self harm about the prospect of having to go through that ordeal."
The matter has been referred to the Coroner and, as with all prison deaths, the Corrections Inspectorate will carry out a review.
