Man appears in court on charges after handing himself in for questioning over suspected double homicide

The man appeared in court on December 26. Photo / NZME

A man who handed himself in to police for questioning over the suspected double homicide of a farming couple has appeared in court.

The bodies of Brendon and Trina Cole were discovered on the driveway of their Ruatiti home along Murumuru Rd near Whanganui National Park, on December 13.

A man was named a person of interest over the suspected double homicide, which was followed by a nearly two-week search for him.

Central District Commander Superintendent Dion Bennett said the man had presented himself to the Whanganui Police Station about 1.30pm on Christmas Day, and was arrested on an active warrant.

“Police on ground in the area will now be making further inquiries in the investigation,” Bennett said.

The man appeared before a Justice of the Peace on Friday. The Whanganui Chronicle was denied entry to the court to cover the hearing by security staff.

Court staff said the man was remanded in custody, with another court appearance scheduled for January 27.

Suppressions put in place during the hearing were likely to be reviewed at that date.