Murder charge laid over death
A man has been charged with murder following the death of a woman in Paraparaumu Beach.
The 48-year-old, who has name suppression, is charged with murdering 45-year-old Irina Scantee by stabbing.
He did not appear when his charge was called in the Wellington District Court on Monday morning as he was in hospital, lawyer Val Nisbet said.
“It may be that he remains in hospital for some time.”
Judge Peter Hobbs ordered two mental health reports and remanded the matter to a date in September to be called in the High Court at Wellington.
Police and ambulance officers were called to the scene of a house in Paraparaumu Beach on Saturday night where they found Scantee dead.
The incident was at a house near the 180 Degrees Cafe and Bistro, on the corner of Marine Parade and Howell St.
A man was taken into custody a short time later at nearby Raumati South.
Detective Senior Sergeant Warwick McKee said, “The arrested man and the deceased woman were known to each other.
“Police would like to reassure the community this was an isolated incident.”
Ka¯ piti mayor K Gurunathan said, “The community is shocked by this horrific incident.
“At this difficult time, our sympathies go out to the family members and friends of both people.
“We are also concerned for the health of the three members of the public who witnessed the death.
“The community is thankful to Victim Support volunteers for the work they do in this area.
“Good on the police who worked quickly to apprehend the offender and complete the site investigation.
“This incident is the extreme end of the underbelly of domestic violence and mental health issues plaguing this country.
“Every year police conduct 100,000 investigations related to family violence with women high on the list of victims.
“As a community we should be doing more to increase awareness to stop this.”