A man accused of murder after a violent incident in South Hokianga has been found dead in his cell.
The 48-year-old appeared in the High Court at Whangārei on Saturday charged with murder.
He was arrested after the body of 73-year-old Keith Stuart Clark was found when police were called to a home in Ōmāpere about 11.20am on Friday.
St John Ambulance was called a short time later.
The accused, who was also injured in the incident, was taken to Bay of Islands Hospital in a serious condition.