Christchurch homicide: Man charged with murder after woman’s body found

A man has been charged with murder after a woman’s body was found at a Christchurch address.

Emergency services were called to a property on Mount Pleasant Rd at 5pm yesterday.

Detective Inspector Joel Syme said following initial inquiries, a homicide investigation was initiated.

He said a man was later arrested.

A police homicide investigation is underway after a woman was found dead in a Mt Pleasant, Christchurch house. Photo / George Heard

The man appeared from custody at Christchurch District Court this morning charged with murder before Judge Mark Callaghan.

He is accused of murdering a woman on Friday, October 4.

Judge Callaghan granted the accused interim name suppression and remanded him in custody without plea to appear at the High Court in Christchurch on October 25.

A homicide investigation has been launched after the death of a woman in the Christchurch suburb of Mt Pleasant. Photo / George Heard

“Police are now working to establish exactly what occurred. However, we can confirm that we are not seeking anyone else in relation to this matter,” Syme said.

A police scene examination is underway. Photo / George Heard

“The investigation is in its early stages and police are seeking to establish the movements of both the victim and the person charged in the lead-up to her death.

“We are very keen to hear from anyone who heard or saw anything suspicious between 10am on Friday, October 4, to 4pm on Sunday, October 6, in the Mt Pleasant Rd or Bellview Terrace area.”

Syme said a forensic examination of the woman’s address was underway and would be expected to continue over the coming days.

“A post-mortem is still to be conducted however next-of-kin notifications are under way,” he said.

“Our thoughts and sympathies are with the family at this extremely difficult time.

“We would ask anyone who has information that may assist the investigation team to please update us online now or call 105.”

Photo / George Heard

Police have cordoned off the house at the centre of their probe this morning.

A blue police tent and halogen lights can be seen at the top of a driveway. A mobile police base is at the bottom of the driveway.

A local woman said she walks in the area every morning and was surprised by the major police activity.

“It’s always quiet but you never know what could happen anywhere,” she said.