Christchurch caregiver Valerie May Heaney, 64, was found dead in the hallway of her Bromley home on April 4 2022. 

Initially, police said her death was unexplained but after a post-mortem examination, it became clear something violent and horrific had happened to Val. 

Elliot Ajay Prakash, 43, was later charged with her murder.

He was a boarder at Heaney's home and the pair were sometimes lovers.

In this episode of A Moment In Crime I'll tell you why - and how - Prakash killed Val, and what he told police.

This episode is about domestic violence and may be upsetting for some people. 



READ MORE ON THIS CASE:

Val Heaney murder: Man who battered landlord with hockey stick jailed for life, previous violence revealed





Family violence - do you need help?

If you're in danger now:

• Phone the police on 111 or ask neighbours of friends to ring for you.
• Run outside and head for where there are other people.
• Scream for help so that your neighbours can hear you.
• Take the children with you.
• Don't stop to get anything else.
• If you are being abused, remember it's not your fault. Violence is never okay

Where to go for help or more information:

• Shine, free national helpline - 0508 744 633 www.2shine.org.nz
• Women's Refuge: Free national crisis line operates 24/7 - 0800 refuge or 0800 733 843 www.womensrefuge.org.nz
• Shakti: Providing specialist cultural services for African, Asian and middle eastern women and their children. Crisis line 24/7 0800 742 584
• It's Not Ok: Information line 0800 456 450 www.areyouok.org.nz

Christchurch caregiver Valerie May Heaney, 64, was found dead in the hallway of her Bromley home on April 4 2022. 
Initially, police said her death was unexplained but after a post-mortem examination, it became clear something violent and horrific had happened to Val. 
Elliot Ajay Prakash, 43, was later charged with her murder. He was a boarder at Heaney's home and the pair were sometimes lovers.
In this episode of A Moment In Crime I'll tell you why - and how - Prakash killed Val, and what he told police.
This episode is about domestic violence and may be upsetting for some people. 
 
READ MORE ON THIS CASE:
<a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/val-heaney-murder-man-who-battered-landlord-with-hockey-stick-jailed-for-life-previous-violence-revealed/Y5BLY4CYHVOAVKHIQN24L7FGT4/">Val Heaney murder: Man who battered landlord with hockey stick jailed for life, previous violence revealed</a>
 
 
Family violence - do you need help?
If you're in danger now:
• Phone the police on 111 or ask neighbours of friends to ring for you. • Run outside and head for where there are other people. • Scream for help so that your neighbours can hear you. • Take the children with you. • Don't stop to get anything else. • If you are being abused, remember it's not your fault. Violence is never okay
Where to go for help or more information:
• Shine, free national helpline - 0508 744 633 <a href="https://www.2shine.org.nz/">www.2shine.org.nz</a> • Women's Refuge: Free national crisis line operates 24/7 - 0800 refuge or 0800 733 843 <a href="https://womensrefuge.org.nz/">www.womensrefuge.org.nz</a> • Shakti: Providing specialist cultural services for African, Asian and middle eastern women and their children. Crisis line 24/7 0800 742 584 • It's Not Ok: Information line 0800 456 450 <a href="https://www.areyouok.org.nz/">www.areyouok.org.nz</a>

From the NZ Herald newsroom comes A Moment in Crime - a podcast delving into some of New Zealand’s biggest cases.

Anna Leask has been a crime and justice reporter at the Herald for more than a decade.

Each month she'll take you inside some of our most infamous incidents, notorious offenders and behind the scenes of high profile trials and events to show you what’s really happening in your backyard.

From the NZ Herald newsroom comes A Moment in Crime - a podcast delving into some of New Zealand’s biggest cases. Anna Leask has been a crime and justice reporter at the Herald for more than a decade. Each month she'll take you inside some of our most infamous incidents, notorious offenders and behind the scenes of high profile trials and events to show you what’s really happening in your backyard.

From the NZ Herald newsroom comes A Moment in Crime - a podcast delving into some of New Zealand’s biggest cases.

Anna Leask has been a crime and justice reporter at the Herald for more than a decade.

Each month she'll take you inside some of our...