Lynne Martin: Convicted of murder yesterday, dead in police cell this morning

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Less than 24 hours after she was found guilty of murdering her father, The Gisborne Herald understands Lynne Martin has died in police custody.

In a statement, police said they had begun an inquiry on behalf of the Coroner following the death of a person in custody at the Gisborne police station overnight last night.

Police said a person was found deceased in a cell by police staff this morning.

The release did not specify the age or gender of the person.

"The cause of death will be a matter for the Coroner to determine," police said.

“The Independent Police Complaints Authority have been notified.”

Police have so far not commented further on the situation but The Herald understands convicted murderer Lynne Martin is the person found dead this morning.

Martin, 63, was yesterday found guilty of having burned her father alive by deliberately setting fire to his Whatatutu farmhouse — the place he hoped to live out his life — in the early hours of January 25, 2013.

More to come.....