A man accused of a murder in the Hokianga settlement of Ōmāpere last week has died in Ngawha Prison.
Police were called to the Northland Region Corrections Facility near Ngāwha after the discovery of the man's body.
Enquiries are continuing into the circumstances of the man's death.
The man appeared before the court at the weekend and was next due to appear in the Whangārei High Court on 28 October.
Detective Inspector Rhys Johnston said they would no longer be proceeding with the case.
The man who died last week was Keith Stuart Clark, 73, of Ōmāpere.
Both deaths have been referred to the coroner.