Keith Bremner with daughter, Loren, and wife, Clare. Photo / Supplied
Keith Bremner with daughter, Loren, and wife, Clare. Photo / Supplied
The sole survivor of the Ross Bremner killings - his dad Keith - has made his first return to the family home where his wife was murdered a year ago.
Clare Bremner died and her husband was badly injured after their son, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia, stabbed them at their Otorohanga home on October 4, 2016.
Keith, who is recovering at a rehabilitation centre, spent several hours at the house six weeks ago.
The Bremners' neighbour, Dennis Kaumoana, said the 65-year-old visited with his eldest daughter Loren and two healthcare workers.
"We sat and talked and Keith told me he wanted to come home soon. It was quite emotional, but Keith was laughing and talking about old times. It's his home - it's where his memories are."
Ross Bremner's rampage claimed four lives. Three days after he killed his mother and stabbed his father, his body was found alongside those of Maurice O'Donnell, 72, and his wife Moana Tuwhangai, 82, at the couple's beach property near Kawhia. The elderly couple were the parents of Kaumoana's niece.
Keith's youngest brother Jim Bremner said his sibling was recovering well and was determined to be home by Christmas. But Jim was worried that Keith moving back to the family home might trigger "horrible" memories.
During the attack Keith suffered a broken jaw and cuts to his throat and chest. As he lay unconscious waiting for help to arrive he had a stroke and is paralysed on one side.
A year on he can talk but is still unable to walk.
It's understood that ACC has been working to assess what modifications are needed for him to move back to the four-bedroom house.
Kaumoana said the plan included building new ramps, widening the door for Keith's wheelchair and installing an internal lift.
Jim and his wife Mary visit Keith once a fortnight.
"I haven't noticed too much improvement at all to be honest but he seems to be in good spirits," said Jim.
The siblings have talked about Clare Bremner once since the attack, but Keith never mentions Ross.
"Generally we like to keep topics light. I am not sure if Keith blocks things out or he doesn't want to go there."
Kaumoana, a security guard, said the anniversary of the killings would be "disturbing" for Keith.
"Keith has lost his wife and son and [Keith's two daughters] have lost their mother and brother."
Kaumoana said he still believes the Bremners were let down by Waikato District Health Board's mental health service.
"They also let down my whanau. All our lives changed that day - and it could have been prevented."
Ross was an outpatient at Waikato's mental health and addiction services but had a number of brief inpatient stays between October 2003 and January 2007.
For almost five months before the attacks he lived in the community under the care of his GP and the support of relevant DHB services.
Waikato District Health board has completed a Serious Event Review Report into the care and treatment of Ross Bremner.
A spokeswoman said the Bremner family have read the report, which contained some recommendations. The report is now with the coroner.
Jim, a property manager who lives in Matamata, said he and Mary found out about the attacks when they were on holiday in the United States.
"We were numb. The hardest part is Keith and Clare kept things close to their chest. Schizophrenia is a touchy subject. We knew they had problems with Ross but we didn't know how severe."
WHERE TO GET HELP:
If you are worried about your or someone else's mental health, the best place to get help is your GP or local mental health provider. However, if you or someone else is in danger or endangering others, call police immediately on 111.
