The former doctor convicted of murdering a Dunedin teenager died in prison. Video / NZ Herald
The sudden death in prison of Dunedin murderer Venod Skantha has sparked calls for an overhaul of court policy.
The former doctor, who murdered Dunedin teenager Amber-Rose Rush in 2018, died in a suspected suicide at the Otago Corrections Facility, at Milburn, on Wednesday, just hours after learning his appealbid had been tossed out.
The news came as a relief to Amber-Rose's family, who said they could finally grieve.
Amber-Rose Rush of Dunedin was murdered in February 2018. Photo / Supplied, File
However, her father, Shane Rush, said it was sad for Skantha's family.
"We feel sorry for his parents, as they have now also lost a child and no parent should ever have to go down that road."
Skantha's death has raised questions about how he was able to allegedly take his own life behind bars.
Otago Corrections Facility prison director Lyndal Miles said Skantha was advised of the Court of Appeal's decision in a telephone call from a representative of his lawyer on Wednesday afternoon.
The Otago Corrections Facility at Milburn, south of Dunedin, where Venod Skantha died. Photo / Stephen Jaquiery, File
Corrections was unaware of the decision, and the court did not routinely inform Corrections of decisions that did not have an impact on the length of a prisoner's sentence.
When staff were made aware of information that had the potential to affect a prisoner's wellbeing, their policy was to carry out an assessment of the person's risk.
"Our thoughts are with the man's family and friends. Other men in the unit and staff are being provided with support."
Venod Skantha at his first court appearance in 2018, accused of murdering Amber-Rose Rush. Photo / Otago Daily Times, File
Corrections Association president Alan Whitley said the courts should have to pass information about judgments to Corrections, so staff could provide support.
There had been other instances in which inmates had received bad news and either attempted to take their own life, or had successfully taken their own life, before staff became aware, he said.
"It's really traumatic for staff ... It's one of the worst things you can deal with."
Shane Rush said it had been a hard, sad, and emotional road for the family, one that felt like it would go on forever.
Shane Rush speaking after a jury in the High Court at Dunedin unanimously found Venod Skantha responsible for the murder of Amber-Rose Rush. Photo / Peter McIntosh, File
Now, the family felt as if they could finally grieve, both for Amber-Rose and her mother Lisa Rush, who died suddenly four months after her daughter.
"It is hard to accept that her killer won't have to pay the price for his crimes but it is a relief to the family not to have to spend more of our lives being tortured with appeals and parole hearings."
He believed Skantha's death was a sign of guilt and remorse.
The Crown's star witness at the trial was a teenager who drove Skantha to the Corstorphine home where he killed Amber-Rose.
