Funeral held amid death probe
The woman at the centre of an unexplained death inquiry has been farewelled at an Auckland church as police continue to investigate the Remuera home she shared with her eye-specialist husband.
Police yesterday confirmed they were still trying to piece together the final moments of Pauline Hanna, 63.
The Counties Manukau District Health Board executive project director died on Easter Monday at her home and police are treating her death as unexplained.
In a service at St Mary’s-in-holy Trinity, friends, family, and colleagues described Hanna as a career woman who spent 30 years in healthcare, and enjoyed cooking, reading, and fitness. Noted for her elegance and style, she was regarded as a woman who could lend her hand to almost anything.
Taine Polkinghorne described his stepmother as the “glue” of the family. He said his father, Philip Polkinghorne, and Pauline met in the 90s at Auckland City Hospital in the ophthalmology department.
As the service took place, police confirmed they were still investigating at the couple’s home.
Those living close to the property told the Herald police asked if they had seen or heard anything unusual, such as car movements. One neighbour said they spotted police towing a red car from the house.
“It sounds like it’s a homicide inquiry,” former police detective Lance Burdett said this week. “If it’s going on for any length of time they would be leaning towards suspicious [death] rather than unexplained.”