Pensioner's death after two-storey fall 'suspicious'

Police in Christchurch are investigating the suspicious death of a pensioner who was found with serious injuries beneath a smashed second-storey window in his state housing complex.

Sydney Boyd, 66, was found on May 23 under a window of the Housing New Zealand complex in Riccarton Rd where he lived. He died in Christchurch Hospital's intensive care unit on June 30.

Police are treating Mr Boyd's death as suspicious and are awaiting a post mortem report, Detective Senior Sergeant John Rae confirmed today.

Mr Rae said Mr Boyd had been unable to talk to police from his hospital bed because of his injuries, but had been able to help the investigation.

"He was able to provide some information, other than by talking," Mr Rae said.

Police had interviewed almost all of the residents in the housing complex.

It was unlikely Mr Boyd's fall was an accident.

"It's still early days yet as far as the investigation is concerned," Mr Rae said. It was hoped the post-mortem report would be available this week.

- NZPA