Death of a man no one wanted

By PATRICK GOWER

William Meneti spent his entire life unable to care for himself. That life was ended when he died at the violent hands of another in his West Auckland home last week.

The 58-year-old was born with a serious case of a chromosome problem called Klinefelter syndrome. The genetic disorder left him physically and mentally handicapped; it gave him an unusual body shape and a low IQ. He was deaf and had problems communicating.

Also easily angered and violent, Mr Meneti spent his days sitting around the Kelston home of his whanau-based carers simply because "no one else would take him".

On Thursday afternoon last week, ambulance officers found him dead beside a pool. Three other adults were at the house - which is surrounded by car wrecks, old bikes, motorcycles and a boat - at the time.

West Auckland detectives began a homicide inquiry but refuse to say what injuries he received.

Mr Meneti had been at the Kelston home for about two years. He had previously been in community care with another family, but had spent most of his adult life in institutions, mainly Tokanui mental hospital until it closed in 1993. Over the years he lost touch with his family and is known by at least three names, most commonly as Willie Davey.

Mr Meneti, who weighed about 100kg, had his wrist tattooed with the name of his only sister, Joy, who rarely visited him because of his violent tendencies.

Joyce Williams, whose own son was in Tokanui, would sometimes take him on weekends, saying he was "difficult".

"He got angry," she said. "Willie was just someone who needed to be wanted. But no one wanted him."

After Tokanui, he was cared for in the community by a private centre that eventually closed. Its owners said they kept caring for Mr Meneti afterwards because "no one came to pick him up".

He was traced by family after the death of his sister and taken in by the distant relatives at Kelston.

Their care was subject of a complaint to the Health and Disabilities Commissioner last year but was not acted on because of a lack of hard evidence.

They were made by Doreen Samuel, the niece who traced Mr Meneti and helped move him to the Kelston home.

"I would ask how he was and they would say, 'Like a zombie'," she said from Sydney this week. "Uncle Willie needed professional care."

Police are investigating his past care as part of their inquiry. Health and Disability Commissioner Ron Paterson would not comment on his involvement with the complaint but said he was co-operating fully with police.

The Kelston family were at Mr Meneti's tangi on a Taumarunui Marae on Thursday and not available for comment.

* A 39-year-old man has been charged with assaulting Mr Meneti. The Crown Solicitor will be consulted about the possibility of more serious charges.

KLINEFELTER SYNDROME

* The syndrome can occur in men who are born with an extra X chromosome (XXY instead of XY). Although such a chromosome abnormality occurs as frequently as one in 500 male births, only a few men with the extra chromosome develop the condition known as Klinefelter Syndrome.

* It almost definitely causes infertility. A lack of libido is another symptom.

* Physically it can lead to body changes, including long limbs. Body hair may fail to develop and breast development is also possible.

* In some severe cases it may affect intelligence and lead to trouble communicating.

* Most men with Klinefelter syndrome can lead normal lives. Hormone treatment can resolve some of the problems it causes.

* For more information, contact the Northern Region Genetic Service at Auckland Hospital. Free phone 0800 476 123 or visit E-Medicine: Klinefelter Syndrome