A young woman who was shot dead in her home in the middle of the night is being remembered by relatives as a beloved family member.
Aaliyah Phillips Wilson, 23, was fatally injured when she opened the front door of her home in Palmerston North, near Wellington, New Zealand, just after midnight last Thursday.
Mrs. Wilson was found seriously injured, alive and well, but died shortly afterwards at home.
Police launched a murder investigation on Monday and arrested a 27-year-old man.
He was charged with murder and appeared in court in Palmerston North on Tuesday, where Mrs Wilson’s loved ones gathered to remember her.
Taepa Martin described his niece as a “carefree girl” who was “just too young” to die.
“That was hard, keeping up the courage and getting rid of the anger. She was just too young, poor girl,” he said. told the New Zealand Herald.
“We laid her to rest with me, so the morning after the funeral was way too quiet. We’re still processing everything and there’s a lot to process.
Aaliyah Phillips Wilson, 23, was reportedly shot around midnight on July 18 after opening the front door of her home in Palmerston North, New Zealand
‘She was a very relaxed and cheerful girl.’
Mr Martin added that Ms Wilson’s parents were both “devastated” and her younger brother and half-siblings were devastated.
Detective Inspector Craig Sheridan, Central District Crime Manager hoped the arrest of the alleged perpetrator would ‘provide some sense of reassurance to Ms Wilson’s family and the community at large’.
Friends and family of Mrs. Wilson wrote their final words of condolence on a white casket painted with red roses at her memorial service on Tuesday.
A man has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with the death of Mrs Wilson (pictured)
One of Mrs. Wilson’s cousins has since fundraising in the days to lighten the burden of their broken family.
We have all lost a wonderful friend and cousin, but most of all a sister and daughter to her parents and younger brother.
‘This page has been created to raise money for Aaliyah’s family, who are very sad at this time.’
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