Revealed: Widow in new homicide inquiry

Helen Milner nee Nisbet with her companion, Barry Hayton. Photo / Supplied

Widow Helen Milner is trying to keep a low profile as former neighbours and associates spoke of the surprise reopening of an inquiry into her husband's death.

Philip James Nisbet, 48, a driver of Halswell, Christchurch, was found dead in bed on May 4, 2009. Coroner Sue Johnson ruled he died of a Phenergen overdose, and police considered the case a suicide until changing their view to launch a homicide inquiry earlier this week.

A landlord said Helen Nisbet, who goes by the name of Milner, had been at his Avondale rental property for about two years with her partner, Barry Hayton. Yesterday, however, Hayton and Milner moved some of their belongings to his Teviotdale beach house in Greta Valley.

When asked for comment about the reopened police inquiry, Hayton said there were two sides to every story before threatening to break Herald on Sunday camera equipment.

Nisbet and Milner's former Hallswell neighbour, Carl Tanner, said he had lived next door for about four years and had shared barbecues, beers and watched rugby with Nisbet.

Nisbet worked as a driver restocking vending machines in Christchurch.

"They seemed as a couple to be reasonably stable. They had a bit of trouble with her two boys, Adam and Greg, who lived with them some years back ... They were a reasonably functioning couple and the only trouble I heard was when the boys were there."

He said he was very surprised to hear that Nisbet had committed suicide.

He said Milner moved away from the Halswell house about 18 months ago.

After Nisbet 's death Milner and Hayton attended a barbecue at Tanner's house.

"She was quite open about the fact her son had accused her of murdering Phil and, from knowing him, I can see that being a malicious accusation."

He had heard that one of the sons had knocked Nisbet around a bit and said there was always fighting between the two boys and between Nisbet and the boys.

He had intervened in a punch-up in the street on at least one occasion.

"They gave Helen a hard time so ... I could quite easily see that being a malicious, false accusation," he said.