Six-year-old's body removed from house

The body of a six-year-old girl has been removed from a house near Gore after the delayed arrival of forensic scientists, police said today.

Police were called to a farmhouse at Charlton about 7.15am yesterday after receiving a 111 call.

They found the body of Molly Rose Macrae, who lived at the house.

A homicide inquiry was launched and a 45-year-old woman was arrested and charged with murder.

The removal of Molly's body was delayed until the arrival of a forensic team from Christchurch by road last night after weather prevented them flying, Detective Sergeant Steve Gregory, of Gore police, told NZPA today.

"They arrived here about 6pm and went straight to the scene and we took out the body," he said. "They're back there today to carry on the scene examination."

It was unlikely police inquiries would be completed before Thursday, he said.

Police were not seeking anyone else in relation to the incident.

He declined to reveal further details about the slaying, including how Molly died, because the matter was now before the courts.

Pupils and staff at West Gore School, which Molly attended, would be told of her death today, board chairwoman Trina Routhan said yesterday.

Group Special Education staff and Victim Support volunteers would be available to counsel pupils and staff.

The Gore woman charged with murder was granted name suppression for 48 hours when she appeared in Invercargill District Court yesterday.

The suppression would be lifted at 5.30pm tomorrow.

She was remanded for a day by consent in police custody, for a psychiatric certificate, which was needed before she could be transferred to the mental health unit at Waikari Hospital in Dunedin.

Her lawyer, Bill Dawkins, said the suppression was to give time for the woman's family to be notified.

Judge Brian Callaghan said the woman's reappearance in court today would be excused if the certificate became available and she could be transported to Dunedin.

- NZPA