Coroner finds Christchurch man killed mother with sword before taking own life

Wednesday 6 August 2025 · 6 outlets · 3 reports · updated Wed 6 Aug 2025, 5:56am

In this story Katharine Greig

A coroner has found that Nicholas McIlraith killed his mother, Beverley, with a sword in their Riccarton home. McIlraith, who was his mother's sole caregiver, then took his own life. The bodies were discovered by police weeks after the incident occurred.

How they headlined it

4:59am5:56am

1. RNZWed 6 Aug 2025, 4:59am

   Christchurch man killed mother with sword - coroner (opens in new tab)

   Also on 1News (opens in new tab), Otago Daily Times (opens in new tab)

2. NZ HeraldWed 6 Aug 2025, 5:00am

   Christchurch murder-suicide: Reclusive son killed dementia-stricken mother with sword (opens in new tab)

3. Stuff via RNZWed 6 Aug 2025, 5:56am

   Christchurch man killed mother with sword, coroner finds (opens in new tab)

   Also on The Press (opens in new tab)