http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=124&objectid=10418121

NZ Herald
January 8 2007; 12:20

New post mortem for suffocated girl
by Jarrod Booker

Detective Inspector Malcolm Johnston

A second post mortem was due to be carried out today on a 10-year-old Christchurch girl suspected of having been suffocated in her bed.

Police are trying to establish what led to Charlene Makaza suffering breathing difficulties in bed in her Ilam home.

She was found on Saturday morning by her caregivers, an uncle and aunt she had lived with since a toddler.

Initially taken to a medical centre, she was transferred to Christchurch Hospital where her condition deteriorated throughout the day. She died shortly after 1am yesterday without regaining consciousness.

Detective Inspector Malcolm Johnston said a post-mortem carried out yesterday had concluded she had not died of natural causes, but most likely of suffocation, and a homicide inquiry had been launched.

Police are interviewing five people in the home, including four adults and Charlene's 12-year-old sister.

They are also investigating whether an intruder could have broken into the home, although there is no indication that happened.

"We haven't identified how the girl sustained her injuries yet," Mr Johnston said.

Charlene came to New Zealand from Zimbabwe about two years ago and was a pupil at Ilam's Wairakei School.

Principal Lee McArthur said: "She was a fabulous little girl, with a sunny nature. She fitted into our school extremely well."

Charlene had a reasonable grasp of English and was able to carry a conversation with people quite easily.

"She struck up a rapport with the children and particularly the adults. She was a real favourite with the [school] staff. She loved coming up and having long chats. She would chat to you for ages. She had a very engaging personality."

The property where Charlene lived is a two-storey former state house on the corner of two streets, surrounded by a high wooden fence covered in graffiti.

Neighbours believed the family had lived at the property for at least two years.

The family was large with adults other than Charlene's caregivers living in the house as well as three children.

"They kept to themselves. They are a really quiet and pleasant family," one neighbour said.

Ms McArthur said the school would not be reconvening until February 7, but she would be getting together with staff today to work out how best to handle the situation "in terms of letting the school community know".