The Press
January 31 2007
Police canvass slain girl's neighbours
Christchurch police investigating
the death of 10-year-old Charlene Makaza are going back to her neighbourhood in search of clues to her mystery killing.
A team of 18 officers is canvassing
homes in the Hollyford Avenue-Hooker Avenue area of Bryndwr where the Zimbabwean girl lived before she died on
January 7.
Police believe Charlene died of
suffocation, possibly after a violent sexual assault.
Inquiry head Detective Inspector
Malcolm Johnston said police hoped to speak to people who knew Charlene and may
have known of concerns she had about her safety.
"We are interested in hearing
from anyone who knew Charlene or spoke to her before her death to establish if
she told anyone of any concerns she may have had," he said.
Johnston declined to comment when
asked if any evidence had been found of any earlier sexual assaults on
Charlene.
"This is just a comprehensive
canvass of friends and neighbours to see if there is
someone she may have confided in," he said.
Residents yesterday told The Press
police had asked for a statement from everyone in Hollyford
Avenue. Johnston said police were still waiting on DNA and toxicology test
results to complete the post-mortem report.