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Hutt Valley Police make arrest in Upper Hutt homicide investigation

Thursday 20 September 2012, 11:35AM

By New Zealand Police

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UPPER HUTT

Hutt Valley Police investigating the suspicious death of Mary Donnelly have made an arrest.

Acting officer in charge of the Hutt Valley CIB Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Thornton says a 28 year old Upper Hutt man has been arrested for the murder of 38 year old Mary Donnelly, who was found dead in her Ebdentown Street flat by family members on the evening of Thursday 30 August 2012.

"The 28 year old was arrested and charged late last night. He will be appearing today in the Upper Hutt District Court."

D/S/S Thornton says the arrest follows three weeks of extremely hard work by a team of more than 20 investigators.

"We have worked tirelessly over the past 21 days to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding Mary's death. Whilst there are still a number of enquiries to be undertaken to establish all of the facts, we are pleased to have made an early arrest."

Dave Thornton says further enquiries are focussed on the movements of a male seen at Mary's flat the day prior to her death (Wednesday 29 August 2012).

"We want to hear from anyone who saw a male either at Mary's flat or in the vicinity of the block of flats in Ebdentown Street, the day before her body was found. Anyone with any relevant information should contact the Operation Town investigation team on (04) 560 4961 or phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."