Wellington police investigate death of woman following assault

Police are investigating the death of a 53-year-old woman from Wellington who died in hospital after being admitted in serious condition following an assault.

Lillian Wharton passed away at Wellington Hospital on Thursday, December 19, 2024. The circumstances of her death remain under investigation, and police are currently treating it as unexplained.

According to Detective Inspector Nick Pritchard, Wharton had been at a friend’s residence in Lower Hutt on the evening of Saturday, December 14. She left the address with people she knew, intending to walk back to her home on Waiwhetu Road.

At some point during the journey, Wharton was assaulted. She was hospitalised in a serious condition and succumbed to her injuries days later.

Police have charged a man known to Wharton with several offenses, including assault, assault with intent to injure, and injuring with intent to injure. The man appeared in Lower Hutt District Court and has been remanded in custody pending his next court appearance.

Investigators are appealing to the public for information about Wharton’s movements on December 14 between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Specifically, police are seeking sightings of a group consisting of two adult women—one of whom was pushing a pram—and a man.

The area of interest includes Randwick Road, York Street, Awamutu Road, Leighton Avenue, and the intersections of Whites Line East and Waiwhetu Road.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police online or by calling 105, quoting file number 241219/9880. Anonymous tips can also be provided through Crime Stoppers at 0800 555 111.

“This is a tragic case, and we are committed to understanding what happened to Lillian,” Detective Inspector Pritchard said.

“Any information, no matter how small, could help us piece together the events leading up to her death.”