Khandallah murder trial

The story so far

A 53-year-old woman went on trial at the Wellington High Court in June 2025, charged with murdering her 79-year-old mother at the mother's Khandallah home in January 2024, and she pleaded not guilty.^{23 Jun 2025; 23 Jul 2025} The Crown alleged she violently attacked her mother and staged the scene to look like a fall, and it argued the attack was financially motivated.^{23 Jun 2025; 17 Jul 2025} Evidence included a forensic scientist's findings that blood was found around a kitchen sink and that a hair on the victim's hand did not belong to the accused. Jurors also saw CCTV of her changing clothes and disposing of a black bin bag, and her first police interview.^{30 Jun 2025; 4, 8, 10 Jul 2025} Witnesses described complicated relationships and financial issues, and the Crown alleged that up to $85,000 from the victim's home was used for cryptocurrency investments. The defence said there was no evidence of a relationship breakdown and that police had developed tunnel vision.^{23 Jun 2025; 4, 15, 17, 21 Jul 2025}

What's next

She is expected to be sentenced in September, and it is unclear whether she will appeal the conviction.^{24 Jul 2025}

Key moments

1. 23 Jun 2025Trial begins at the Wellington High Court; the accused pleads not guilty.
2. 26 Jun 2025Police shift investigation from accidental death to murder after inconsistencies in account.
3. 8 Jul 2025CCTV shows accused changing clothes and disposing of a bin bag.
4. 15 Jul 2025Crown alleges over $155,000 of the victim's money was invested in cryptocurrency.
5. 17 Jul 2025Accused will not give evidence; Crown begins closing arguments alleging financial motive.
6. 23 Jul 2025Jury finds accused guilty of murdering her mother.
7. 24 Jul 2025Sentencing expected in September; appeal plans unclear.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.