South Auckland murder case: Phillip Beale charged with killing mum, Joan Beale, in Papatoetoe

Phillip Beale, accused of having murdered his mother, Joan Beale, appears in the High Court at Auckland on September 10, 2025. Photo / Jason Dorday

The person accused of killing 84-year-old Joan Beale in South Auckland two months ago can now be identified as her adult son.

Name suppression has lapsed for Phillip Alan Beale, 50, who lived at the same Papatoetoe address as his mother.

Authorities found Joan Beale’s body at the home around 10.30am on August 9.

The defendant was arrested immediately and initially charged with assault. His lawyer sought name suppression during his first appearance in Manukau District Court.

The charge was upgraded to murder and transferred to the High Court about a week and a half later.

A jury trial has since been scheduled for next September. Phillip Beale has pleaded not guilty.

During his first High Court appearance last month, defence lawyer Kelly-Ann Stoikoff asked for name suppression to remain in place while awaiting trial. Crown prosecutor Chris Howard opposed the request.

A hearing on the matter was held earlier this month before Justice David Johnstone, and his judgment dismissing the application was released to the lawyers the next day. That decision was released to the Herald this week.

Justice David Johnstone presides over a hearing in the High Court at Auckland. Photo / Michael Craig

While the media is allowed to report the outcome of the hearing, it cannot yet report the arguments made for and against suppression and the reasons outlined by the judge for denying the application.

Phillip Beale remains in custody while awaiting trial.

Craig Kapitan is an Auckland-based journalist covering courts and justice. He joined the Herald in 2021 and has reported on courts since 2002 in three newsrooms in the US and New Zealand.

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