Radio NZ
January 8 2007; 10:36

Girl's death - was intruder involved?

Christchurch police are investigating whether an intruder was involved in the suspected suffocation of a girl, who died over the weekend.

Charlene Makaza, 10, died in hospital yesterday morning and an initial post mortem indicates she was suffocated.

She was taken to hospital after being found in her bed unconscious and breathing erratically on Saturday.

Detective Inspector Malcolm Johnston says police will today examine the girl's two storey home, inside and outside, to establish if an intruder was involved in Charlene's death.

He wants anyone who saw anyone acting suspiciously in the Hollyford Aveneue area in Ilam (eye lim) overnight on Friday to call the police.