Man’s body found long after death

A palm print has been used to confirm the identity of a Timaru man in his 60s believed to have been dead in his flat for several weeks.

News of the death, which may have occurred as far back as October, was revealed in a Tenancy Tribunal decision.

The man, who The Timaru Herald has chosen not to name, was a tenant at a Ka¯inga Ora– Homes and Communities property at Dunkirk St, Marchwiel.

Ka¯ inga Ora–Homes and Communities went to the tribunal in November after the man’s death to terminate the tenancy and regain possession of the address, which was granted.

The man, who had no known next of kin, had been a tenant since 2005 and his body was found at the premises a week before the tribunal’s ruling. His death has been referred to the coroner.

A police spokesperson said police received ‘‘a report of concern about a Dunkirk St resident’’ on November 12.

‘‘Police attended the person’s property, and upon arrival located a man deceased.’’

A spokesperson for Ka¯inga Ora said they ‘‘will not be commenting on the particulars of this case because it has been referred to the coroner and out of respect’’ for the deceased.

‘‘In general terms, our staff regularly check in with our customers to ensure they are safe, well and if we can support them in any way,’’ the spokesperson said.

‘‘Like the private rental sector, we work respectfully in these situations to help sort through

belongings, clean and ensure any routine maintenance is done before it is let to another tenant.’’

Timaru’s Betts Funeral Services managing director Julian Donaldson said in cases where no next of kin can be found, an agency will need to step up and claim the remains in order to authorise a burial or cremation.

‘‘Obviously we can’t just pick up someone from a mortuary and bury and cremate them on our own,’’ he said.

Donaldson said there is often

confusion in these ‘‘particularly uncommon’’ cases as to who should claim the remains. He said in a previous case he was involved with, the hospital, where the remains were being stored at, took authority, but it could also be the police.

‘‘There’s normally someone who will come forward and make sure that person gets laid to rest.’’

Donaldson said cases of people not being found for some time after death do happen.

‘‘We do work for the coroner, so we have had a couple of cases like that. It’s pretty sad, but some people keep to themselves. [It’s] not super common, but it’s pretty sad when that does happen.’’

Timaru Senior Citizens community support co-ordinator Robyn Baldwin said there have been similar incidents in the past, and that ‘‘it’s always really sad’’.

Baldwin said while the circumstances of every case are different, some senior citizens choose not to have anything to do with support agencies.

‘‘All the help’s out there for people provided that they want to accept it.’’

Baldwin said people should make contact with their neighbours and check on how they are doing.

‘‘If you see something untoward, make a contact, knock on the door. Just look out for one another. We did it during Covid, why can’t we do it now?’’

Just look out for one another. We did it during Covid, why can’t we do it now?’’

Robyn Baldwin

Timaru Senior Citizens community support co-ordinator