Starship doctors believed his injuries had been inflicted by another person and notified police.
Following an intensive investigation, a 51-year-old man was been charged with his murder.
The Herald can now reveal Malcolm's maternal uncle is William Dwane Bell, who murdered three people during a drug-fuelled robbery at the Mt Wellington Panmure RSA in December 2001.
Bell, 41, is the older brother of Malcolm's mother Savanna Bell, 29.
Savanna Bell is the mother of toddler Malcolm Bell who was allegedly murdered. Her brother is triple murderer William Bell. Photo / LinkedIn
Their father is Michael Bell - but they have different mothers.
Their familial connection was confirmed by several sources close to the family, a police source and the siblings' birth certificates obtained by the Herald.
Savanna Bell - who had five children removed from her care by Child Youth and Family, now Oranga Tamariki, before Malcolm died - has refused to speak to the Herald.
Her half-brother became one of the worst murderers in New Zealand history when he callously killed three people during a robbery at the RSA on December 8, 2001.
Wayne Johnson, 56, was killed by Bell, who also beat William Absolum, 63, Mary Hobson, 44, to death.
In a final horrifying act, Bell also attacked Susan Couch, who worked part-time doing the club's accounts.
William Bell in the dock at the Auckland High Court after he was sentenced for the RSA murders. Photo / Glenn Jeffrey
She survived - just.
Bell left the mother-of-one for dead with broken arms and severe head injuries that caused a stroke.
