Canterbury Police have charged three men with murder following a homicide investigation into the death of 44 year old Benton Marni Parata.
Benton was taken by ambulance to Christchurch Hospital on 25 March 2015 with critical injuries and was placed on life support in ICU.
Benton never regained consciousness and died in the early hours of Monday 31 March 2015.
Three men aged 20, 21 and 36 are due to appear in Christchurch District Court on Wednesday 8 April 2015.
Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Worner says “the Police investigation team have been working closely with Corrections staff and the victim’s family over the last nine days and will continue to do so. We still have ten Police staff working on an ongoing investigation into this incident.”
“As three men have now been charged, aspects of the investigation including the injuries Benton suffered will not be released” explained Detective Senior Sergeant Worner.
Benton’s family are understandably very upset and have asked Police to convey their request for the need for privacy at this time so they can grieve as a family.
ENDS
Issued by: Lisa-Marie Brooks, District Communications Manager, Canterbury Police District. Mobile: 021 942 404