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Home / The Country

Dunedin High Court: Malcolm Duff denies murdering partner Jillian Clark

Ben Tomsett
Ben Tomsett
Multimedia Journalist - Dunedin, NZ Herald·NZ Herald·
23 Mar, 2026 08:43 PM2 mins to read
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The man accused of murdering Jillian Clark has pleaded not guilty. Images / NZME

The man accused of murdering Jillian Clark has pleaded not guilty. Images / NZME

A man accused of murdering his partner has pleaded not guilty in the Dunedin High Court.

Malcolm Boyd Duff, 65, is accused of murdering long-serving South Otago veterinarian Jillian Sherie Clark, with whom he co-owned a Crichton property.

Duff did not appear in person in the Dunedin High Court on Tuesday as he was in hospital with injuries.

Defence counsel Sarah Saunderson-Warner said her client had entered a plea of not guilty, filed by memorandum, and was seeking a remand until a case review hearing date.

Flowers were left beneath the sign for The Country Vet, the business run by Jillian Clark. Photo / Ben Tomsett
Flowers were left beneath the sign for The Country Vet, the business run by Jillian Clark. Photo / Ben Tomsett
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She said Duff did not seek a continuation of name suppression.

Crown prosecutor Richard Smith made no submissions, noting the defendant was in hospital.

Duff was formerly a sport shooter selected for the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games.

He competed in skeet shooting, singles and doubles, where he placed 10th and seventh overall.

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He will reappear on May 26 for a case review hearing.

Emergency services were called to Adams Flat Rd, South Otago, about 6.10pm on January 24 after reports of a serious incident.

Stuff earlier reported Clark was stabbed multiple times in the back.

A death notice published in the Otago Daily Times said Clark was “tragically taken”.

She was the daughter of the late Jasper Clark and Joan Clark, and a sister and sister-in-law to extended family across South Otago.

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Her death came just days after Clark delivered the eulogy at her father’s funeral, after his January 11 death.

Former colleagues described Clark as a highly respected and much-loved veterinarian with deep connections to the farming community.

John Smart, who worked with Clark for about 30 years across Clutha Vets practices, said her death was “a hell of a shock”.

“She was a highly respected vet,” he said.

“I know the whole community down there will be absolutely in mourning for the tragedy of losing Jillian.”

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Another former colleague, Tony Smith, described Clark as “an amazing person” who was deeply connected to her local area and the farming community she served.

Ben Tomsett is a multimedia journalist based in Dunedin. He joined the Herald in 2023.

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