Elderly couple found shot in home

An elderly King Country farming couple were found dead from gunshot wounds in their home yesterday.

It is believed they were 89-year-old Alan Charles (Charlie) Opie and his 87-year-old wife, Valmai.

The Herald understands that the couple's 49-year-old son, Michael, found the bodies.

Valmai Opie was found lying in bed and Charlie Opie was slumped in a chair in another room with a gun beside him.

Police are investigating whether anyone else was involved.

Last night, a large contingent of police sealed entry to the couple's brick home, which sits on top of a hill. It cannot be seen from the nearest neighbouring house.

Sergeant Craig Lindstrom of Te Kuiti said the bodies were still inside.

Generations of Opies have lived in the isolated Mokauiti Valley, 44km from Te Kuiti and 48km from Taumarunui.

The extended family is large, with farmhouses and sheep and beef properties scattered throughout the district.

It is understood the couple recently bought a new house in Te Kuiti and had planned to move there shortly.

Neighbours said they were shocked to hear the news, and all described the Opie family as intensely private but well respected and liked.

One person, who had worked as a contract wool-hand on the Opie farm but declined to be named, said the extended family was extremely close.

"That blows me away. It doesn't sound normal. They're a very upstanding farming family.

"She was very old, but I just saw him out on the road the other day. He wasn't a depressive person. He still worked on the farm and helped out. He certainly didn't sit inside all day."

The wool-hand described all the Opie properties around the district as "immaculate" and well maintained.

The family all pulled together to help one another out, "just like a proper family should".

"They were one of the first families to come in here [to the valley]."

Charlie and Valmai Opie were passionate about the area in which they lived.

In 1986, they put together a history of the district as part of its 75th jubilee.