Test results hold key to how Raetihi boy died

Police are still awaiting the forensic results from ESR following the sudden death of Raetihi boy Antony Herewini-Christiansen on December 7.

Rural Ruapehu Detective Senior Sergeant Keith Borrell of Taranaki police said a staff of six was working in Raetihi on the investigation.

Mr Borrell said once the results were received, they would be able to determine how the 9-year old died.

Antony lived in a house in Duncan St, Raetihi, with his mother, younger brother and two older sisters.

Police investigating his death began treating it as suspicious after traces of a prescription medicine were found in his system during initial tests.

Relatives of Antony said he complained of a stomach ache the night before he died.

St John Ambulance answered a 111 call to his home at 10pm on December 6. They were there for about half an hour. He was found dead at 6am the next day.