A woman who was killed in the Christchurch suburb of Sockburn yesterday was the victim of a random attack, police have confirmed.
Photo: RNZ / Tessa Guest
Emergency services were called to the scene at Cheyenne Street at 4.20pm yesterday and arrived to find a woman in her 50s critically injured. She died at the scene a short time later.
A 37-year-old man has been charged with murder and will appear in court tomorrow.
Two men were taken into custody after the woman was stabbed.
One has been released as he was a family member of the accused who was not involved.
Speaking to media this afternoon, Canterbury District Commander Superintendent John Price said it was an isolated incident and the victim did not know the man charged with her murder.
He said it was a "traumatic, senseless" attack on an innocent person who was making her way home from work.
"No one deserves this."
Price said the suspect was known to police, but there would be a continued police presence in the suburb over the next few days.
"We know that this incident will have been incredibly traumatic for anyone who witnessed it, and will also be unsettling for the Sockburn community and Christchurch."
He said next of kin were still being notified, with the grieving family of the victim dealing with the loss of a partner, mother, friend and colleague.
Price also asked anyone who saw anything, or anybody with CCTV footage, to come forward.