A young woman who was shot dead at her home in the middle of the night has been remembered by relatives as a much-loved member of the family.
Aaliyah Phillips Wilson, 23, was fatally wounded after opening the front door of her Palmerston North home near Wellington in New Zealand just after midnight last Thursday.
A critically injured Ms Wilson was found clinging to life but died at the home shortly afterwards.
Police launched a homicide investigation and arrested a man, 27 on Monday.
He was charged with murder and appeared in Palmerston North Court on Tuesday as Ms Wilson’s loved ones gathered to remember her.
Taepa Martin described his niece was a ‘happy-go-lucky girl’ who was ‘just too young’ to die.
‘That has been hard, trying to keep everyone’s spirits up and get rid of the anger, she was just too young, poor girl,’ he told the New Zealand Herald.
‘We had her resting at my place so the morning after the funeral was far too quiet. We are still processing everything and there is a lot to process.
Aaliyah Phillips Wilson, 23, was allegedly shot around midnight on July 18 after opening the front door of her Palmerston North home, in New Zealand
‘She was a really easy-going and happy-go-lucky girl.’
Mr Martin added that Ms Wilson’s parents were both ‘exhausted’ and that her younger brother and half-siblings were devastated.
Central District crime manager Detective Inspector Craig Sheridan hoped the arrest of the alleged perpetrator would ‘bring some sense of reassurance to Ms Wilson’s family and the wider community’.
Ms Wilson’s friends and family wrote their final goodbyes on a white casket painted with red roses at her memorial on Tuesday.
A man was arrested and charged with murder in relation to the death of Ms Wilson (pictured)
One of Ms Wilson’s cousins has since launched a fundraiser in the days to ease the burden on their shattered family.
We have all lost a great friend and cousin but most importantly a sister and daughter to her parents and younger brother.
‘This page is made to help build funds to go towards Aaliyah’s family who are very hurt during this time.’
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