A 37-year-old man has appeared in Christchurch District Court in relation to the death of young US woman Lauren Biddle in October.
Lauren Biddle Photo: Supplied
Ms Biddle - a US citizen and champion polo player - was working in New Zealand when she died at a Sumner address.
Joseph McGirr owns the property in Sumner where 22-year-old Ms Biddle died in unexplained circumstances in the early hours of 22 October.
Mr McGirr, a civil engineer, is charged with supplying a Class B controlled drug, impeding rescue, perverting the course of justice and cultivating cannabis.
His lawyer, Rupert Glover, said Mr McGirr was entering not guilty pleas to all charges and was electing for trial by jury.
Mr Glover said it has been an extraordinarily traumatic event for Mr McGirr and for his parents, who were at the court hearing.
Police arrested McGirr earlier today and took him into custody.
He is expected to be remanded on bail later this afternoon.