Christchurch death in Papanui not being treated as suspicious, police say

The death of a person at a Christchurch property is not being treated as suspicious, police say.

Police were called to a property on Main North Rd, Papanui, about 2.40pm yesterday and found one person in a critical condition.

Detective Sergeant Rebecca Podmore said an autopsy was carried out today.

“Police can confirm that the death was not of a suspicious nature,” she said in a statement this afternoon.

A scene guard remained in place at the home as they pieced together what had happened.

This morning, a police car could be seen parked at the back-section property.

One neighbour who asked not to be named told the Herald earlier that he heard what sounded like a person being “slammed in a sliding door” yesterday afternoon.

Police remain at the scene. Photo / Jazlyn Whales

He initially thought the blast of sirens that flooded the area had been about a vehicle collision outside.

He said there were three houses, and believed an older couple lived down the back.

The local man said police had been there, parked in the driveway overnight.