61-year-old charged with murder over Karen White’s death at Lake Hāwea

Karen White was found dead at her Lake Hāwea property on March 8.

By RNZ

A man has been charged with murdering a 60-year-old Invercargill woman found dead at Lake Hāwea last year.

Karen Gaylene White, 60, died at her Lake Hāwea property on March 8, 2024.

In November, eight months after her death, police launched a homicide investigation.

Otago Lakes Area Commander Inspector Paula Enoka said following a lengthy investigation, police had charged a 61-year-old man with murder.

He was due in the Queenstown District Court on Wednesday.

“Police continue to support the family and friends of Ms White, and our condolences go out to them,” Enoka said.

White’s death was initially treated as unexplained while officers worked to establish what had happened before her death.

The house where Karen Gaylene White was found dead. Photo / Tess Brunton

But once that picture became clearer, it led detectives to believe she died in suspicious circumstances.

In December, police said White was the victim of a significant assault and they believed people in the Lake Hāwea area had important information.

They wanted to speak to anyone who saw any unusual or suspicious activity in the area around late February and early March.

RNZ visited the Lake Hāwea township near Wanaka in December and spoke to residents.

A neighbour, who did not want to be identified, told RNZ she heard a woman screaming.

She was later told the screams came from White’s daughter, who had discovered her mother’s body upstairs. The neighbour had not heard any arguments.

Other neighbours said family members did not often stay at the house and kept to themselves, but were rowdy when they did, playing loud music and riding motorcycles.

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