The Press
January 8 2007
Death of girl, 10, a 'mystery'
by Joanna Davis
Police are describing the death of a
10-year-old Christchurch girl at the weekend as a complete mystery, and have
started a homicide investigation.
Charlene Makaza died in Christchurch
Hospital early yesterday morning after what police said was a suspected
suffocation.
Detective Inspector Malcolm
Johnston, of the Christchurch police, said she was found in bed by her aunt and
uncle at their home in Hollyford Avenue, Bryndwr, on Saturday morning with breathing difficulties.
Her condition deteriorated
throughout the day and she died shortly after 1am yesterday without regaining
consciousness.
The girl's death is one of six
fatalities in the South Island since Friday evening, including road, farm and
diving accidents. It was a toll police southern communications inspector Doug
Parker described as not only tragic but unusual.
In the girl's case, Johnston said
the aunt and uncle had cared for Charlene and her 12-year-old sister since they
were young. The girls' parents had died.
Johnston said a post-mortem showed
the 10-year-old appeared to have been suffocated.
"The pathologist does not
believe it's from natural causes," he said.
Johnston said police were no closer
to identifying how the girl sustained her injuries.
"It's a real mystery," he
said. "We've spoken to all family and are no closer to finding out what's
happened to this young girl."
Charlene's sister was now staying
with friends, while the aunt and uncle are staying at a separate address.
Police have cordoned the house for a
scene examination.
"We don't believe the house was
broken into but it's early days and a scene
examination will determine that one way or another," Johnston said.
Neighbours said the long- term tenants of the
two-storey, weatherboard home were a Zimbabwean family. A neighbour,
who did not want to be named, said the family were good,
quiet neighbours.
South Island Zimbabwe Association
secretary general Taz Mukorombindo
said the occupants of the house where the incident happened were a
"normal, lovely family". He had visited the home for a barbecue
several weeks ago.
The man was studying veterinary
science and the woman was a caregiver.
--------------------
CAPTION:
Scene
examination: investigators prepare to enter the Bryndwr
home yesterday. Photo: David Hallett