2 publishers · first seen Wed, 28 Oct 2026 22:32 UTC · updated Wed, 28 Oct 2026 22:59 UTC
A 60-year-old Christchurch man has been charged with the manslaughter of Braydon Hepworth, a 21-year-old father whose body was found buried in a shed in Linwood on 8 October after he went missing in early September. The accused, who was previously charged with concealing the body and making a false statement, appeared via audio-visual link in the Christchurch District Court, did not enter a plea, and was granted interim name suppression. The case has been moved to the High Court, and the man was remanded in custody until his next court date in November. Last week, a 34-year-old Christchurch man was also charged in relation to the concealment of Hepworth's body.
An independent review into Hepworth's care at the Christchurch City Mission's Whakaora Kāinga transitional housing complex has been confirmed, to be led by Wellington barrister Andrew Scott-Howman. The review will examine the mission's responsibilities after Hepworth was told to leave the facility less than two months before his death, with findings expected by the end of November.
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