Te Atatu victim beaten, violated
Teenager changes his plea and admits the brutal murder of elderly woman who lived over his back fence
The man convicted of the brutal murder of elderly Te Atatu woman Cunxiu Tian stomped on her head before sexually violating her twice. Jaden Lee Stroobant, 19, yesterday admitted murdering the 69-year-old in January last year.
He initially pleaded not guilty to murdering and violating Tian.
He was set to stand trial in the High Court at Auckland — but changed his plea and admitted all three charges.
He will be sentenced on March 13 and the Crown will seek preventive detention.
The police summary of facts was released to the Herald after yesterday’s hearing, revealing for the first time the details of Tian’s death.
Stroobant lived over the back fence from Tian, her daughter and her son-in-law on Glenvil Lane.
“On Friday 15 January 2016 the victim was at home alone. As was typical of any week day her daughter and son-in-law left home at around 9am to work in the city.
“The victim began her usual gardening tasks around the home,” the court document stated.
Stroobant was also home that day and sometime during the morning he went to Tian’s property.
“[Stroobant] entered the property and confronted the victim,” the summary read. “He grabbed her and dragged her before violently physically and sexually assaulting her.”
While Tian was on the ground, Stroobant struck her around the head “numerous times”.
“During the assault he stood up and stomped on her face and head.
“This caused the fatal head injuries that eventually killed her.”
Stroobant pulled down Tian’s trousers and underwear and sexually violated her.
“At the time of the violations the victim was alive, unconscious and dying from the injuries inflicted,” the summary said. “The pathology indicated that the victim sustained a severe assault with evident of blunt force trauma to her head, face, neck, chest, [genitals] and lower limbs.
“The effects of the head injuries caused the victim’s death.”
Specific details of the sexual violation charges are suppressed as Stroobant claims publication of the details could endanger him in prison.
The Crown, Tian’s family and the Herald will be opposing the suppression order, and Justice Graham Lang will make a final decision on publication at sentencing next month.
A post-mortem examination revealed Tian suffered extensive bruising to her head and face as well as numerous cuts and abrasions.
She had blood clots on her brain, which was “significantly” swollen, and a fractured right eye socket.
Tian also had bruise marks on her neck consistent with Stroobant “restraining her from behind”.
She had multiple broken bones including one in her neck and ribs and extensive injuries to her genitals.
The Herald has chosen not to detail these injuries.
Tian had no defensive wounds, a signal she was “deeply unconscious” or dying at the time of the attack.
After he murdered Tian, Stroobant tried to cover up his crime.
“He has used rags and cleaning products from his address to avoid detection,” police said.
“A pink towel with the victim’s blood was found close to her body, as well as a bottle of dish washing liquid on which was [Stroobant’s] fingerprint.”
After the assault Stroobant went thorough the victim’s home, opening drawers and rifling though the contents.
He stole an iPad, Chinese currency that he later exchanged for $370, and a gold watch belonging to Tian’s daughter.
“[Stroobant] then made efforts to evade detection by police, staying at a friend’s address overnight, dismantling his phone by removing the SIM card and battery and riding in the boot of his friend’s car,” the summary stated.
When police finally caught up with Stroobant at an Auckland house he tried to flee through a back window.
Detectives interviewed Stroobant, who denied any involvement.
Soon after his arrest a woman was arrested and charged with being an accessory after the fact of Tian’s murder.