The Press
January 20 2007

Dead girl's family breaks its silence

The family of dead 10-year-old girl Charlene Makaza has broken its silence to reject some information made public.

In a statement from family lawyer Susan Lewis, the family yesterday said it was "very concerned that some reporting in the media is quite misleading and in relation to particular facts is simply wrong".

Charlene was at home with her aunt, uncle, 12-year-old sister, and two cousins at their Bryndwr home when she sustained the injuries that police believe led to her death.

The family and Lewis refused to specify exactly what facts they believed were wrong.

"They have been advised that is inappropriate for them to be publicly commenting on a matter that is the subject of the ongoing investigation," the statement said.

When contacted last night, Lewis refused to comment further, saying the family just wanted to "let things lie".

Police this week revealed Charlene also suffered a "horrific" sexual assault before her death.

The police investigation into Charlene's death is waiting on toxicology reports from the pathologist and DNA results from ESR.

Charlene's funeral is to be held in Christchurch today.