Deaths of two women not suspicious, say police

Post-mortem examinations on a mother and daughter accused of murder, who were found dead on the south coast of Wellington on Sunday, have found no "suspicious injuries".

The women, aged 75 and 51, were jointly charged with murdering a 77-year-old man, their husband and father, in his home in Paisley St, Levin on February 5, but those charges were withdrawn yesterday.

Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Cotter said the deaths of the women, whose bodies were found in the sea off Princess Bay on Wellington's south coast, would now be the subject of a coroner's inquiry.

"Post-mortem examinations showed neither woman had injuries of a suspicious nature, no gunshots," he said today.

"We are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident."

However, he said inquiries into their movements were continuing as part of the coroner's investigation, and police were still appealing for sightings of a blue Toyota Corso hatchback in the Princess Bay area on Saturday night, through until about 11am on Sunday.

In Wellington District Court yesterday, Judge Susan Thomas granted interim suppression of the names of the two women and their alleged victim until July 4.

- NZPA