Survivor of killings visits home
Father of triple murderer determined to be back in family home by Christmas.
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 Mona Tuwhangai, 82, at the couple’s property near Kawhia. They were the parents of Kaumoana’s niece.
Keith’s youngest brother Jim Bremner said his sibling was recovering well and determined to be home by Christmas. But he was worried Keith moving back 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 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.
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,” Jim said.
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 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 several 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 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.