A 19-year-old man has been charged with murder and two charges of assault in a family relationship in relation to the incident. Emergency services were called to an address on Burnham School Road about 3.05am after a report of disorder. RNZ understands a relative of the 19-year-old called police after she was allegedly assaulted and she barricaded herself in a room. They then found an elderly woman's body at the property. Detective Senior Sergeant Karen Simmons said in a statement that a 19-year-old had been charged with murder and two counts of assault in a family relationship.

Source: Otago Daily Times January 26, 2026 21:21 UTC