An Otago man from the coastal settlement of Seacliff has pleaded guilty to murdering his neighbour.
A section of Coast Road was closed after Ms Comerford was found dead inside a property. Photo: RNZ/ Ian Telfer
Stephen Findlay, 60, was due to start a three-week trial this week for killing Sharon Comerford in March last year.
The 53-year-old woman was found dead at her house on Coast Road 30km north of Dunedin, and Findlay was found with gun injuries to his face in the nearby Truby King Reserve.
Findlay lived in a house bus next door to Ms Comerford.
Findlay appeared at the High Court in Dunedin this morning and pleaded guilty.
Detective Sergeant Stan Leishman said police were pleased with the plea.
Mr Leishman said it was a lot of hard work to bring the case to court, and he hoped it brought some finality for the family of Ms Comerford.
He is due to be sentenced next week.
