A man charged with assaulting an 84-year-old woman in South Auckland is now facing a murder charge.

Joan Beale was found dead in her home on Ashlynne Ave in Papatoetoe on August 9.

Police initially charged a 50-year-old man with assault after the incident.

“Following inquiries, we have laid a murder charge against this man,” Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Hayward said.

Police were not looking for anyone else, he said.

“I acknowledge these events will have upset the local Papatoetoe community, but please be assured that this matter is now in the hands of the court,” Hayward said.

Raphael Franks is an Auckland-based reporter who covers business, breaking news and local stories from Tāmaki Makaurau. He joined the Herald as a Te Rito cadet in 2022.