Coroner to investigate HIV man's death in jail

Glenn Mills faced 28 charges relating to 14 people. Photo / Janna Dixon

The death of a man accused of deliberately infecting people with the HIV virus is not suspicious but will be the subject of a coroner's investigation, say police.

Glenn Richard Albert Mills was found dead in his prison cell. He was due to appear in Auckland District Court today but the hearing did not go ahead.

A source told the Herald that Mills had been found dead and the Department of Corrections later confirmed his death in Mt Eden Prison this morning.

Assistant regional manager Grace Smit said prison staff found Mills and gave him medical assistance but could not revive him.

"He was pronounced dead when ambulance staff arrived a short time later," Ms Smit said.

"The prisoner's death is not considered suspicious, however the Coroner will investigate and confirm the circumstances.

"As with all deaths in custody, a review will be undertaken by the independent Corrections Inspectorate, which is monitored by the Office of the Ombudsmen.

While this is under way, and the death is subject to the Coroners inquest, the Department is unable to comment further," she said in a written statement.

Asked if Mills was being monitored for self-harm, a spokeswoman from the department said she could not comment.

Mills' lawyer, Kevin Brosnahan told the court this morning that a memo had been written "advising of the situation". He also asked for another court date so "matters could be finalised".

Crown prosecutor Josh Shaw declined to comment outside court.

Mills faced 28 charges relating to 14 people and was being held in custody.

The charges included wounding and attempting to wound with reckless disregard as well as infecting and attempting to infect with a disease.

At his last appearance it was revealed that the Crown was seeking a suspect compulsion order to force Mills to give a DNA sample.

Crown prosecutor Josh Shaw said the sample could potentially rule out other causes of HIV among the victims.

Mills was originally granted name suppression but after it was lifted and he was named by the media in June, HIV support organisations received a deluge of calls.

Police have said Mills was diagnosed HIV-positive in May 2007 and had allegedly had an active sex life with men and women since.

The Herald understands Mills registered himself as a "heterosexual seeking women" on dating websites such as nzdating.com and findsomeone.com, as well as phone chat line Hot Gossip.