A convicted killer has suddenly died in prison, 12 years after what a judge described as a “horrible attack of the utmost gravity”. 

Police were called and “attended a sudden death” at Christchurch Men’s Prison yesterday shortly before 3pm. 

A spokeswoman said the death will be referred to the Coroner. 

Paul Andrew Gottermeyer, serving a life sentence, was found dead in the prison’s engineering workshop, Stuff reports. 

Prison general manager Jo Harrex confirmed the death. 

“Our staff, with the assistance of medical and ambulance staff, made every effort to save him, however they were unable to revive him,” Harrex said. 

“While investigations are underway, there is no indication that his death is suspicious. 

“Our thoughts are with the man’s family and friends. Other men in the unit and staff are being provided with support, including access to Chaplains and cultural support where requested. 

“All deaths in custody are referred to the Coroner for investigation and determination of cause of death. Police have been advised and have notified the man’s next of kin.” 

An investigation by the independent Corrections Inspectorate will also be carried out. 

The former market gardener Gottermeyer was on medication and an outpatient at Hillmorton psychiatric hospital when he knifed a woman to death inside her Christchurch home on July 11, 2012 before her 3-year-old daughter found her lying in a pool of blood. 

Paul Gottermeyer in court. Photo / File 

The woman and her daughter have name suppression. 

There was anger at the High Court in Christchurch when Gottermeyer was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum non-parole period of 10 years. 

In delivering his sentence, Justice John Fogarty said: “I know it’s not going to be popular with the family.” 

The public gallery, with about 30 family members and friends of the victim, was disgusted by the decision. 

“It’s an injustice,” shouted one woman. 

“If that was your daughter ...,” said another. 

The disbelief soon turned to anger directed at Gottermeyer standing in the dock. 

“You’re a murderer!” shouted one woman. 

Justice Fogarty reached his conclusion based on the expert opinion of three consultant forensic psychiatrists. 

Gottermeyer was an outpatient at Hillmorton psychiatric hospital and all of the experts concluded he had been suffering from severe depression. 

But they said it was difficult to say how severe his depression was at the time of the killing, or how much blame for what happened could be apportioned to his depression. 

Canterbury District Health Board (now Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand Waitaha Canterbury), which has responsibility for Hillmorton, carried out an investigation into the tragic case. 

“Our internal reviews have not found any faults in the care provided to this patient nor have there been any recommendations to the Health Quality and Safety Commission,” said Dr Sue Nightingale, the CDHB specialist mental health services chief of psychiatry in 2013.