Police won't say how prison inmate died

File photo / NZH

Police are refusing to say how a Waikeria Prison inmate died until they have the results of further tests.

Nicholas Ward Harris, 36, of the north Waikato town of Meremere, was found dead at the prison, near Te Awamutu in the Waikato, on Sunday morning. He was arrested on Friday on a number of charges and was being held on remand.

A post mortem had been completed but cause of death would not be known until the pathologist had completed further tests, Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Whitehead said today.

A police investigation, which has involved interviews with staff and other prisoners, was nearly complete,

Information would then be forwarded to the coroner and there was unlikely to be any more comment until the conclusion of the inquest.

Mr Harris suffered from a number of health issues that may have contributed to his death, Mr Whitehead had said previously.

- NZPA