Teen detained after Kiwi man shot by pirates in Panama

Sunday, 5 May 2019

Alan Culverwell died in Panama while defending his family from armed robbers who boarded their yacht. He is pictured here with his wife, Derryn, who was injured during the attack.

A teen has reportedly been given provisional detention over the death of New Zealand father Alan Culverwell in Panama.

Culverwell, 60, was defending his family when he was shot by pirates who attacked their yacht near Morodub Island, a popular tourist area about 2am on May 2 (local time).

Three people were arrested.

The youth's detention, reported by Panama broadcaster TVN, came with an investigation into the death by the country's Office of the Prosecutor for Adolescents, TVN said.

* Pirates kill New Zealand man**

Culverwell's wife Derryn and two 11-year-old children were on board at the time of the attack.

Derryn sustained a machete wound in the attack, before contacting relatives who organised a rescue, Culverwell's sister previously told Stuff.

'A teenager was given provisional detention in Colon, for a crime against life and personal integrity, (Aggravated Dolous Homicide), committed to the detriment of Alan Grenfell Culverwell. The Office of the Prosecutor for Adolescents has a year to investigate' TVN said in a translated tweet.

The Marlborough family had spent two years sailing around the Caribbean, and were on their way to the Panama Canal, before finally making their way back to New Zealand.