Cousin charged after teen killed in fight

A 20-year-old man has been charged with murdering a Poverty Bay teen found dead in his bed with head injuries after a fight at a party last week.

A Post mortem on Weylin Ngarangione established the 19-year-old had died of a head injury sustained in an altercation with one of his relatives at a party at his home last Wednesday. Mr Ngarangione was found dead in his bed on Sunday morning.

His cousin has been charged with murder and is due to appear in court today.

Family members found Weylin Te Rau Aroha Ngarangione, 19, dead at his family home in Manutuke, 13km southwest of Gisborne.

The teen had been involved in a fight during a small party at his family home in Manutuke last Wednesday night and was taken to Gisborne Hospital by ambulance shortly afterwards.

He received treatment for his head injury and was discharged a few hours later.

"I think it was just a minor argument. It was at a party of about eight to 10 people, a small group of family and friends," Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Scott said.

Mr Ngarangione's family was "obviously very upset, as you would be when anyone loses a loved one or a family member", Mr Scott said.

- NZPA, NEWSTALK ZB