Canterbury farm worker not shot, police say

Police no longer believe a Midcanterbury farm worker found dead in his bed by a colleague was shot.

Tony Waldron, a 29-year-old farm worker and father of young children who lived alone, was found dead in bed with injuries at his home in Gardiners Rd, Rakaia, on Wednesday morning.

Detective Senior Sergeant Richard Quested said initial reports suggested Waldron received a gunshot wound, however, this was no longer believed to be the case.

Quested said scene examinations continued at two properties in Gardiners Rd.

‘‘Police are committed to establishing what was happened to Mr Waldron, and holding those responsible to account.

‘‘We would like to reassure the community that we believe this was not a random incident, and there is not thought to be any risk to the public.’’

A man appeared in the Christchurch District Court on Friday morning charged with threatening to kill, possession of ammunition and having possession of a drug utensil relating to cannabis use.

He was granted interim name suppression and was remanded in custody to reappear in the Ashburton District Court on October 14.

Police earlier said he was arrested in the course of police inquiries into the homicide but had not been charged in relation to the homicide.