Convicted killer dies suddenly in Christchurch men’s prison

Paul Andrew Gottermeyer, a convicted murderer serving a life sentence for a brutal 2012 attack, was found dead in the engineering workshop of Christchurch Men’s Prison.

Despite efforts by prison and medical staff, he could not be revived. The death, not considered suspicious, is under investigation by the Coroner and the independent Corrections Inspectorate.

Gottermeyer, who had a history of severe depression, had murdered a woman in her home, an act that led to widespread anger at his sentencing.