Bell Street murder accused named

The 64-year-old Tauranga builder accused of murdering 57-year-old Robyn Anne Prole, whose body was found outside a Judea property, was the husband of the deceased.

Rex Leverett John Prole appeared in Tauranga District Court today facing one charge of murder after a brief appearance on Saturday where he was granted interim name suppression.

Name suppression was lifted today but media applications for photographs were denied.

Police outside a Bell Street property where Robyn Prole’s body was found. Inset: Floral tributes to the victim near the property.

Rex Prole is accused of murdering his wife Robyn Prole, also known as Robyn Anne Phipps, at a Bell Street property on Friday, July 20.

Name supression for the deceased was also lifted today.

Lawyer Glenn Dixon applied for a psychiatric report to be carried out to determine whether the accused is fit to stand trial.

Judge Alayne Wills granted permission for the psychiatric report and remanded Rex in custody to reappear on August 6.

Police were called to the property around 2pm on Friday after receiving reports of a dispute between a man and woman.

When they arrived they found the woman’s body lying on a grass verge next to a driveway.

A post mortem examination carried out today revealed the woman died as a result of stab wounds.