Long wait in rest-home death probe
POLICE say they are still are awaiting the results of toxicology tests more than two years after the unexplained death of a 91-year-old woman in a Golden Bay rest home.
Noeline Tait died on July 27, 2015 at Golden Bay Community Health, a centre on the outskirts of Takaka that includes a medical practice with GP services, a rural hospital and residential elderly care.
Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Johnston, of Nelson police, said the investigation, on behalf of the coroner, was still active.
‘‘We’re not in a position to report back to the coroner,’’ Johnston said.
Inquiries into the circumstances of Tait’s death started in 2015 and all interviews had been completed. However, police were waiting for the results of ‘‘specialised’’ toxicology tests – results they intended to chase, Johnston said.
A Ministry of Justice spokeswoman confirmed the case was active before the coroner and a hearing had not yet been scheduled.
Nelson Marlborough Health funds Nelson Bays Primary Health to run Golden Bay Community Health, which opened in September 2013. Representatives from all three organisations declined to comment while the investigation was under way as did a spokesman from the Ministry of Health.
A member of Tait’s family declined to comment.