No-one else sought over brutal killing

Far North police are not looking for anyone else over the death of an elderly woman in her Kaitaia home last week.

A 17-year-old was charged with being unlawfully on a property after the body of Barbara Julian, 70, was found by friends who had forced their way into her house when she failed to answer.

Mrs Julian had been preparing to host a regular social event with Kaitaia friends at her home.

The accused teenager was being kept in custody until his next appearance in the Kaitaia District Court next week.

Police would not say what additional charges he might face, but the youth was their prime suspect and they were not looking for anyone else in relation to the death.

Police earlier said it was a brutal home invasion but have refused to release details of how Mrs Julian died, or if she had been sexually attacked.

- NZPA