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Home / Entertainment

Shortland Street's most shocking deaths

Herald online
21 Jan, 2016 07:30 PM3 mins to read

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Wendy Cooper; Joey Henderson and Toni Warner all died suddenly on Shortland Street. Photos / Supplied

Wendy Cooper; Joey Henderson and Toni Warner all died suddenly on Shortland Street. Photos / Supplied

In memory of much loved matriarch Wendy Cooper, who passed away on Shortland Street this week, we take a look back at some of Ferndale's most shocking deaths.

People throughout the nation mourned as the veteran nurse's life support was pulled on Tuesday night, following a stroke which resulted from a bullet wound.

She was shot in the struggle to apprehend deranged gunman Gareth Hutchings in a 2015 Christmas cliffhanger dubbed the "red wedding".

New Zealand's beloved hospital drama has been bringing audiences to tears with gripping plot lines and tragic endings since it began in 1992.

There have been murders, explosions, cardiac arrests and more. Here are 10 of the most shocking in Shortland Street history.

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Carmen Roberts: December, 1995

Nurse Carmen Roberts died from a brain hemorrhage in 1995.
Nurse Carmen Roberts died from a brain hemorrhage in 1995.

Carmen (Theresa Healey) was a nurse, former prescription pill addict and partner to Chris Warner's brother Guy, with whom she had a baby girl named Tuesday.
She died of a brain haemorrhage after getting a knock to the head when a madman drove his truck through the entrance to Shortland Street Hospital.

Lionel Skeggins: March, 1999

Lionel Skeggins was washed off a rock into the ocean in 1999. Photo / Supplied
Lionel Skeggins was washed off a rock into the ocean in 1999. Photo / Supplied

Lionel ran the hospital cafe and was married to Kirsty Knight, but the lovers later separated. He was wed to Dr Mackenzie Choat for one week when he was swept off a rock into the ocean and disappeared.

Oscar Henry: June, 1999

Oscar Henry was killed by Dr. MacKenzie Choat, who also made an earlier attempt on his life. Photo / Supplied
Oscar Henry was killed by Dr. MacKenzie Choat, who also made an earlier attempt on his life. Photo / Supplied

Oscar (Christopher Brown) was Minnie Crozier's vindictive ex-boyfriend, who embezzled money from the clinic.
He was murdered in an explosion set by Dr MacKenzie Choat, who also made an earlier attempt to take his life.

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Joey Henderson: March, 2008

Nurse Joey aka The Ferndale Strangler jumped to his death. Photo / Supplied
Nurse Joey aka The Ferndale Strangler jumped to his death. Photo / Supplied

Newbie nurse Joey (Johnny Barker) killed five women, and was eventually revealed as The Ferndale Strangler. On the verge of capture, Joey jumped from a building to his death.

Toni Warner: June, 2008

Toni Warner died of a cardiac arrest caused by renal failure. Photo / Supplied
Toni Warner died of a cardiac arrest caused by renal failure. Photo / Supplied

Toni (Laura Hill) was a nurse, wife of Chris Warner and mum to their son, Harry.
She died of a cardiac arrest due to faulty drugs from seedy pharmaceutical company Scott Spear.

Roimata Ngatai (Samuels): January 2014

Roimata Ngatai was killed after an explosion. Photo / Supplied
Roimata Ngatai was killed after an explosion. Photo / Supplied

Roimata (Shavaughn Ruakere) was the unfaithful ex-wife of Dr TK Samuels.
She was killed when jilted ex-lover Dr Josh Gallagher planted a bomb under at the Warner bach where staff were celebrating a Christmas Party.

Sarah Potts: August 2014

Sarah Potts Sarah died finding the cure for a killer virus. Photo / Supplied
Sarah Potts Sarah died finding the cure for a killer virus. Photo / Supplied

Dr Sarah Potts (Amanda Billing) had recently become engaged to TK Samuels - her ex-husband and father of daughter, Tillie.
But it wasn't meant to be, Sarah died finding the cure for a killer virus, due to the fact her immune system was weakened by MS.

Caleb Potene: July 2015

Caleb Potene was injected with a lethal dose of medication by his wife, Pania. Photo / Supplied
Caleb Potene was injected with a lethal dose of medication by his wife, Pania. Photo / Supplied

Caleb was TK's oldest friend, who became addicted to painkillers after leaving the army.
He was murdered by his deranged wife Pania, who injected him with a lethal dose of medication in order to have TK all to herself.

Pixie Hannah: August 2015

Pixie Hannah went  into cardiac arrest after getting Pneumonia. Photo / Supplied
Pixie Hannah went into cardiac arrest after getting Pneumonia. Photo / Supplied

Harry Warner's love interest and soccer enthusiast Pixie was not around for long before being diagnosed with cancer.
She went into cardiac arrest after getting pneumonia from an icy river, which she jumped in to save Harry.

Wendy Cooper: January 2016

Wemdy Cooper died from a stroke after being shot by a crazed gunman. Photo / Supplied
Wemdy Cooper died from a stroke after being shot by a crazed gunman. Photo / Supplied

Wendy was a much loved nurse and matriarch of the Cooper family.
She was caught in the the crossfire when Mo and Vinnie bravely tackled gunman Gareth Hutchings. Doctors thought they had saved her, but sadly she suffered a stroke and after a day, her life support was turned off.

- nzherald.co.nz

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