Investigation into death of Christchurch baby: Boy victim of 'extremely violent assault or assaults'

Police cordoned off the house where the 15 month-old baby died. Photo / Martin Hunter

A 15-month-old Christchurch child who died on Friday night was the victim of an "extremely violent assault or assaults", police said today.

Ihaka Paora Braxton Stokes suffered multiple blunt force injuries including broken bones.

Police and St John were called to the house at Truman Rd, Bryndwr about 10.30pm on Friday.

Ihaka was found unconscious with unexplained injuries.

He was transported to the accident and emergency department at Christchurch Hospital and died shortly afterwards.

Detective Inspector Greg Murton gave an update on the homicide investigation today.

He said post mortem results showed Ihaka died from multiple blunt force injuries and was the victim of an "extremely violent assault or assaults".

The scene examination at the house was complete and the property would be handed back to the family today, Mr Murton said.

He said officers had spoken to "quite a large number of people" including the boy's mother and stepfather, who lived at the address.

Mr Murton refused to say whether either of them were suspects.He wouldn't say if either of them were at home at the time of the assault.

"We hope to bring [the investigation] to a successful conclusion," Mr Murton said.

Tributes and messages of support have been flooding to mum Mikala Stokes' Facebook page where Ihaka is remembered as "gorgeous wee boy".

A funeral service for Ihaka will be held at Westpark Chapel at Wairakei Rd in Burnside on Friday at 10am.