10 Oct 2024

Man facing third murder charge after another victim dies

4:15 pm on 10 October 2024
Police in Wellington. Generic image

Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver

A man critically injured in an assault at his Western Heights, Rotorua home in September has died.

The man and his wife, who were both retired, were seriously assaulted on 23 September.

The woman died on 5 October while her husband died in hospital on Wednesday, police said in a statement.

A 52-year-old man who was arrested and charged with murder in relation to a linked incident at an Utuhina property where a woman was found dead will now be facing murder charges in relation to all three deaths.

The man has been remanded in custody and is due to reappear in Rotorua High Court on 18 October.

Police are not seeking anyone else in relation to the three deaths.