A woman is facing a manslaughter charge over the death of a former high-flying Auckland property and car dealer, who died more than two weeks after police say he was attacked with a mallet.
Natalie Ann Van Breugel, 45, appeared in Waitakere District Court today charged with manslaughter, causing grievous bodily harm and threatening to kill, charges she denies, Fairfax Media reported.
Lance Bain, 43, was allegedly attacked in the west Auckland suburb of Ranui on November 17. He did not seek medical attention at the time but later began feeling unwell and was taken to hospital nearly two weeks later.
His condition deteriorated and he died in hospital of a bacterial infection on December 3.
Police began investigating the death at the request of the coroner before a decision was made to lay charges.
Mr Bain made his fortune selling cars and in property but lost millions of dollars in recent years after a difficult marriage break-up and mortgagee sales.
He had lived in some of Auckland's more upmarket suburbs and was a fan of red Ferraris, the New Zealand Herald reported following his death.
Van Breugel was remanded on bail until March 9.
NZN