Post mortem held on northern Taranaki shooting victim

The body of a 50-year-old northern Taranaki woman will be released to her family as soon as possible following completion of a post mortem in Palmerston North.

Detective Senior Sergeant Grant Coward, New Plymouth CIB, said that he would not be commenting on the details of today’s post mortem as this will form part of the investigation file.

A 13-year-old boy has been arrested and charged with the woman’s murder.  Extensive court suppression orders are in place preventing publication of details which identify the boy or the victim.

“The events of Sunday are very distressing for everyone.  The victim’s family and all those affected by this very sad situation are naturally grieving.  Our investigators, police family liaison officers and Victim Support are doing everything possible to help them,” Detective Senior Sergeant Coward said.

Extensive inquiries continue into the circumstances of the shooting and the events leading up to it.  This includes gathering information from people who can assist the investigation; the ongoing scene examination by police and forensic experts at the woman’s Okoki house and a white 1993 four door Ford Telstar car that was found in Waitara.  It’s hoped that the scene examination in Okoki will be completed later tonight.