The 54-year-old died at her Coast Rd home, where her body was discovered on Tuesday morning, after the man she shared a volatile on-off relationship was found in the nearby Truby King Reserve with serious gunshot wounds and a firearm close by.
The 59-year-old man at the centre of the investigation into her death remained in a serious but stable condition in the intensive care unit at Dunedin Hospital last night.
Police yesterday publicly released Ms Comerford's name as the investigation into her death continued, and said she had been killed by a single gunshot to her head.
Detective Senior Sergeant Malcolm Inglis confirmed police were investigating if the man was responsible for Ms Comerford's death.
‘‘We've got to look and prove evidentially he was responsible for her murder.''
The man was a licensed firearms owner, Det Snr Sgt Inglis said. However, police would not comment on whether firearms had earlier been seized from the man, or on his criminal history.
The Otago Daily Times understands Ms Comerford's family have been informed of the results of an autopsy, which showed she died instantly from the gunshot.
Friends and family of Ms Comerford are reeling following the news of her death.
A friend of Ms Comerford, who had known her for almost 20 years, said the 54-year-old was kind and friendly.
‘‘She was always friendly and she always had a compliment for me,'' the woman, who did not wish to be identified, said.
‘‘She was just a lovely person.
''Ms Comerford was a fan of vintage items and art.
‘‘She was very creative,'' the woman said.
‘‘She did very well when she went to art school. She was into her ceramics.''
Speculation as to the cause of her death had been upsetting, she said.
‘‘It's a small community and people should look after each other.‘‘
If they [Seacliff residents] were aware of raised voices or guns they should have called the police straight away and maybe this wouldn't have happened.
‘‘Why didn't they call the police earlier? Sharon might have been alive today if they had.''
A family member of Ms Comerford posted online that she was still struggling to comprehend the Seacliff woman's death.
‘‘So sorry you have been taken so early,'' the family member said.
‘‘But I know you're in a better place. Your talents were unrealised. Such a loss.''
Det Snr Sgt Inglis said police yesterday finished a scene examination at Ms Comerford's house, but there would be a police presence in the township for several days.
He would not be drawn on what conclusions police had reached about the double shooting so far, other than confirming the injured man was a ‘‘person of interest''.
‘‘We're looking at all aspects,'' he said.
‘‘We're still working on the inquiry. We're keeping an open mind.''
No charges had been laid yet.
Friends of the pair earlier told the ODT they were in a volatile on-off relationship punctuated by alcohol-fuelled arguments.
Police were called on Friday, but refused to respond, a friend of the pair said.
