KEY POINTS:
A man accused of burning his neighbour alive was released from a psychiatric unit before allegedly committing the murder - even though health authorities were warned repeatedly by his family that he was a danger to society.
Matthew Ahlquist walked from an Auckland mental health unit in February
- despite psychiatric reports that he would try to kill a father figure - and, three months later, was charged with the murder of Colin Edward Moyle, 55, allegedly bludgeoned with a spade and set alight.
The case is strikingly similar to that of Mark Burton, who stabbed to death his mother Paddy Burton the day after being released from a Southland psychiatric unit.
Family of Matthew Ahlquist have spoken out now, saying the case raises matters of strong public interest, and that the death had confirmed their worst fears. "It was no surprise to us whatsoever, we had been expecting this for so many years," said a close family member of Ahlquist who asked not to be named. "And we had been telling people for years and years. It's the Mark Burton case all over again."
The Auckland District Health Board has launched an investigation into the psychiatric care given to Ahlquist, who is now being treated in the Mason Clinic.
Nick Argyle, ADHB mental health clinical leader, and Mason Clinic director Dr Sandy Simpson declined to comment because of the court charges and internal inquiry.
However, the Herald on Sunday can reveal that psychiatrist reports warned the Auckland DHB and the St Luke's Community Mental Health clinic as far back as 2005 that Ahlquist was dangerous - particularly towards his father - and should be committed for full-time treatment.
Ahlquist had been "in and out" of psychiatric units every year for the past 12 years, and his parents, Jack and Lois Ahlquist, had pleaded with the Auckland DHB to commit him for full-time care, the relative said.
Now the family of the murdered Colin Moyle want answers. His brother Graeme Moyle had heard that the Ahlquists wanted their son committed for psychiatric treatment.
"At this stage, it's been a battle to get him before the courts because psychiatrists couldn't agree on his state of mind to plea. Mum and Dad are taking it pretty hard."
It is understood Ahlquist and Moyle met by chance at the shops in the Auckland suburb of Sandringham shortly before Moyle was killed.
Thirty-three-year-old Ahlquist was living rough after leaving the Auckland City Hospital Connolly psychiatric unit in February - he had been there voluntarily but was asked to leave after breaching an alcohol ban.
Moyle offered the homeless man a roof over his head in a Housing NZ home in Kiwitea St.
But they soon fell out with each other: Ahlquist was served a trespass notice following an argument with Moyle over how much rent he should pay and was removed by police.
Two days later, Moyle was dead.
Ahlquist's parents, who have protection orders against him, also live in Kiwitea St. They had no idea their son was living so close when police and ambulances drove past one afternoon.
"We were wondering what on earth had happened. Then the six o'clock news came on: 'A man has been murdered in Sandringham.' It was just unbelievable," the family member said.
Ahlquist had been committed to psychiatric care at least once a year since 1995, the relative said, with regular psychotic episodes, including one incident in which both parents were hospitalised.
The relative said the family was assured by St Luke's mental health workers that Ahlquist would be committed to psychiatric care.
But no one from the clinic turned up to a court hearing to testify that Ahlquist was mentally unwell - and a psychiatric report which stated he was a danger to society was never submitted - so a judge released him.
"It was a f***-up in a string of f***-ups. The judge had no idea it was a mental case so he let him go. We had no idea he was coming, he was on our door within an hour," the relative said.
"That was the first time he had hurt them physically. He has terrorised them over the years, damaged property. But a physical assault, that was the first time and a very serious one."
Under mental health legislation amended in 2005, Crown and defence lawyers could agree to declare Ahlquist not guilty by reason of insanity without the case going to trial - which would be the first case ever.
His defence lawyer Paul Gruar declined to comment other than to say: "I have nothing but praise for mental health services."
Crown prosecutor Aaron Perkins said it would be inappropriate to comment as the case was before the courts.
