2 Jul 2018

Man, 18, appears in court charged with murder of Oliver Johnston

11:59 am on 2 July 2018

The man accused of murdering Christchurch man Oliver Johnston has made his first court appearance.

Oliver Johnston

Oliver Johnston Photo: Facebook

The 20-year-old's body was found at a rural property in Woodend north of Christchurch on Thursday.

Police said Mr Johnson was killed some time in the week leading up to the discovery of his body.

The accused man was today granted interim name suppression when he appeared in the Christchurch District Court via video link.

His lawyer said it was the 18-year-old's first ever court appearance and publishing his name might hamper the investigation into the murder.

Police did not oppose name suppression, and the man was remanded in custody until his next court hearing on 20 July.