9 Apr 2018

No plea, name supression for man charged with Merivale murder

1:12 pm on 9 April 2018

A man has appeared in the Christchurch District Court on charges of murder and aggravated burglary this morning.

Christchurch's Justice and Emergency Services Precinct

Christchurch's Justice and Emergency Services Precinct Photo: Supplied / Minister of Justice

The 54-year-old-man made no plea in Christchurch District Court this morning and was granted interim name suppression, as was the victim. The man has been remanded in custody, and will appear in the Christchurch High Court on 27 April.

The 27-year-old woman was found dead in her Exeter Street, Merivale home around 11.40am Saturday. Police said they "moved swiftly" to arrest the man.

Police will not release the woman's identity until all family members have been informed of her death. The post-mortem was to be conducted today.

Two motor vehicles have been seized for examination. No one else is being sought in relation to the woman's death.

"We'd like to hear from anyone who was in the wider Exeter Street area overnight Friday to Saturday that may have heard or seen anything, or anyone, suspicious," Canterbury Police said.