Hamilton baby homicide: Man charged with murder after fatal family harm incident

A 34-year-old man has been charged with murder after allegedly killing a baby at a Hamilton address yesterday.

He is also facing two charges of attempted murder for his alleged attacks on another young child and a woman.

It is understood the woman is the mother of the children.

Police and forensic staff at a home in Douglas Cres, Hamilton, where a baby died and its mother and another child were injured in an assault on New Year's Eve. Photo / NZME

“The 34-year-old man remains in hospital in a stable condition under police guard and will be remanded in custody to reappear before the High Court in Hamilton, Tuesday, February 4,” said Detective Inspector Andrew Saunders.

“Police can confirm a baby died, and another child and a woman remain in hospital in a serious but stable condition.

“We extend our sympathies to the whānau at this tragic time and will provide ongoing support.

“A scene examination is ongoing at the Douglas Crescent property, and police are speaking with a number of people as they work to build a full picture of what has occurred.

“Police know this was a distressing incident and the community is understandably feeling concerned.

“We would like to reiterate that this was an isolated event and there is no risk to the wider public.

“Police thank the community for their patience and understanding as we continue to undertake our inquiries.”

Police and forensic experts at the scene in Hamilton. Photo / NZME

Yesterday the Herald reported that during the attack the woman ran to get help from neighbours – but the alleged offender “dragged” her back home.

It is understood he is or was her partner.

He was also rushed to hospital with what a source said were self-inflicted injuries.

Yesterday police began a detailed scene examination at the victims’ home and another house on the street.

At the second house, blood smears could be seen on the walls of the porch and the front door frame.

The residents at the property declined to comment.

Others said the alleged offender was stopped by police dogs at nearby McPherson Place.

He had been jumping fences, moving between properties trying to escape police.

Police were at the Douglas Cres property in Hamilton. Photo / NZME

Near where he was captured, large pools of dried blood could be seen on the footpath.

Early this afternoon Detective Senior Sergeant Andrew Saunders arrived at the scene and spoke to staff.

Soon afterwards, a woman approached to lay flowers.

Yesterday neighbours stood watching the police, several brought to tears over the violence that occurred only metres from their homes.

Police forensics at the scene of a homicide investigation on Douglas Cres, Hamilton. Photo / Dean Purcell

Jesse, a local resident who said he was one of the first on scene, told the Herald: “I knew the baby was gone ... it was lifeless”.

He said he knew something was wrong when he saw a man dragging a woman across the street.

Jesse told the Herald he saw the woman bleeding from the neck.

“I was trying to look for [the alleged offender] to make sure the kids were okay because we know that they had kids there,” he said.

“That’s all we wanted to know, if they were okay, but I didn’t want to go inside at the time.”

Local resident Kasey said she looked after the surviving children at what is now the scene of a homicide investigation. Photo / Dean Purcell

He said the alleged offender was found at a nearby property.

The last time he saw the injured woman she couldn’t breathe properly but was speaking.

Another neighbour, Kasey, said she and other neighbours helped keep the two uninjured children safe, wrapping them in blankets.

“[One child] was playing with a doll and she mimicked what she saw. The trauma that poor child has to live with.”

She said a nana and auntie arrived at the scene and “dropped to ground, screaming and bawling” after learning what had happened.

“Emergency services were called shortly after midnight to Douglas Cres, Fairfield, after a report of an assault,” a police spokesperson said.

“When police arrived at the property, they found one person deceased and two others seriously injured, who were transported to hospital.

“A 34-year-old man was found a short distance from the address with serious injuries and was also transported to hospital, where he remains under police guard.

“A scene examination will take place at the property today.

“Police would like to reassure the community that this is an isolated incident and there is no ongoing risk to the wider public.”

Anna Leask is a Christchurch-based reporter who covers national crime and justice. She joined the Herald in 2008 and has worked as a journalist for 18 years with a particular focus on family and gender-based violence, child abuse, sexual violence, homicides, mental health and youth crime. She writes, hosts and produces the award-winning podcast A Moment In Crime, released monthly on nzherald.co.nz