Source: Radio New Zealand
Warning: This story discusses suicide.
Police are revealing more information about the deaths of three children and their father after a house fire being investigated as a murder-suicide.
Manawatū Area Commander Inspector Ross Grantham is speaking to media in Palmerston North at 2.30pm.
The three children killed on Saturday, were identified on a page set up by the loved ones of their mother as August, Hugo and Goldie, aged 7, 5 and 1.
The Givealittle page has since raised more than $158,000 for their mother as she dealt with the “unimaginable loss”.
“They were the light and love of her life, and her entire world has been shattered,” the Givealittle page said.
“In the midst of this unimaginable grief, she also lost her home and everything she owned. She is facing the hardest journey possible, stripped of her physical security, while navigating the deepest emotional pain.”
August, Hugo, and Goldie died in a house fire in Sanson on Saturday. GIVEALITTLE / SUPPLIED
The search for the body of one of the children is still ongoing, police said.
The bodies of two children were recovered on Sunday night and were blessed by the family with karakia.
The body of the adult was removed earlier. Manawatu Area Commander Inspector Ross Grantham confirmed to Morning Report it was the children’s father, which RNZ understood was Dean Field.
He said it was too early to tell yet if the fire was deliberately started.
“It’s pretty risky with the part of the structure still there and the the dust that’s generated from the fire, so it will take us some time just to go through and establish what’s happened.”
Grantham said police were not seeking information from the public at this stage, but if anyone knew anything, they could “reach out”.
He said it was “unusual” for a house fire to begin in the afternoon.
Where to get help:
- Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason.
- Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357.
- Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO. This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.
- Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 or text 4202.
- Samaritans: 0800 726 666.
- Youthline: 0800 376 633 or text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz.
- What’s Up: 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787. This is free counselling for 5 to 19-year-olds.
- Asian Family Services: 0800 862 342 or text 832. Languages spoken: Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, and English.
- Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254.
- Healthline: 0800 611 116.
- Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155.
- OUTLine: 0800 688 5463.
If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
