Police have charged a man with the murder of 21-year-old Emma Field, who died in a house fire in New Plymouth in May.
Photo: 123RF
The 31-year-old man was arrested today and charged with murder and arson, following the investigation into the fatal fire that occurred on Devon Street West on 27 May.
He is due to appear in the New Plymouth District Court on Friday.
Detective Inspector Brent Matuku said in a statement that he wanted to acknowledge Field's family during this difficult time.
"Emma was a young woman who had her entire life ahead of her."
It had been tragically cut short, he said.
He also praised those who had worked on a "difficult investigation, including forensic fire investigators".
The New Plymouth community had also provided a lot of assistance to police, Detective Inspector Matuku said.