Shock at death of young girl, 4

A CANDLELIT vigil will be held to remember a 4-year-old girl who was found dead in her Auckland home.

The body of Maggie Renee Watson was discovered in an Onehunga house, where she lived with her mother, early on Friday morning. She was named on by police yesterday.

However mystery surrounds the circumstances of her death.

Neighbour Des Gilmore said the community would hold a candlelit vigil for Maggie outside her home at 7pm tomorrow

‘‘The whole street is devastated.’’ He had known Maggie and her mother for a couple of years, he said. ‘‘I loved that little girl.’’

Detective senior sergeant Glenn Baldwin, of Auckland police, said an autopsy was held on Friday, but was inconclusive.

‘‘Police are waiting for the results of further tests to establish how she died. The results are expected on Tuesday, at which point the investigation will be reassessed.’’

Police were called to the house in the early hours of Friday morning by Maggie’s mother, Evelyn Sen. She was taken to hospital with minor injuries. Her further medical needs were being assessed. Gilmore said he had called the girl’s grandfather in Malaysia and broken the news to him. He said at first the grandfather was stunned and was obviously devastated.

Maggie and her mum had often spent time at Gilmore’s house where the young girl would watch cartoons on his big television.

The woman would bring around homemade curry for dinner. Gilmore said he was in absolute shock at the news.

‘‘The daughter was a very nice girl.’’