Riccarton death 'not suspicious' - police

The injured woman who died in Christchurch on Wednesday was not missing 79-year-old Elisabeth 'Lis' Nicholls - and her death was not suspicious, police say.

The woman was found with critical injuries in Leslie Hills Drive, Riccarton, and emergency services were called about 4.40pm.

The woman, who RNZ understands was in her 70s, died while being taken to hospital.

Police said on Thursday afternoon her death was not being treated as suspicious.

"The woman was located critically injured in a car park, likely as a result of a medical event, and tragically died while being transported to hospital," police said in a statement.

A scene guard placed in the car park has been stood down and the woman’s death will be referred to the coroner.

Police had earlier said a body had been found in the car park.

• Police use drone in search for missing woman

Police said speculation in the community that this may be related to Nicholls, who has now been missing for more than two weeks, was not accurate.

Nicholls suffered from dementia and disappeared after walking out of the Margaret Stoddart Retirement Village in Riccarton on 4 June.

The last confirmed sighting of her was at the Chateau on the Park in Riccarton at 7.54pm the same day.

She had been admitted to the facility for respite care on the same day that she disappeared.

Searchers and police went door to door, reviewed CCTV footage and made extensive enquiries, but were unable to find her.

A week later they expressed concerns for her welfare and this week they intended using a drone to help with the search.

-With RNZ