Police will charge an elderly rest-home resident with murdering a fellow resident.
Detective Senior Sergeant Peter Read, of Christchurch, said yesterday that the resident would be charged at a special sitting of the Christchurch District Court today.
The charge follows the death of Alicia Doreen Grant, aged 93, whose body was found in her bed in a specialist dementia unit at the Santa Maria rest-home in suburban Beckenham on September 4.
Detective Senior Sergeant Read refused to give any details about the resident accused of her murder.
However, it is understood that the resident is an elderly man who was being cared for in the dementia unit with Mrs Grant.
Detective Senior Sergeant Read said it was inappropriate for him to comment further with court proceedings imminent.
Police began a homicide inquiry after a post-mortem examination on Mrs Grant's body on the afternoon she died.
After interviewing rest-home staff, they were awaiting the results of a medical assessment on the elderly man before deciding if he should face charges.
Police also sought advice from the Crown Law Office on the appropriateness of laying charges against the man. They said he was not considered a danger to others.
Police are also preparing a file for an inquest into Mrs Grant's death.
- NZPA
Murder count after death in rest-home
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.