Deaths of mother and two children suspected murder-suicide

The deaths of a woman and her two children at Te Araroa near East Cape are being investigated as a suspected murder-suicide.

Tiny Tibble, 43, died on November 16, along with her son, 14-year-old Ashton-Lee Rangihuna, and 10-year-old daughter Ana-Roimata Rangihuna (pictured at right), near the settlement of Te Araroa. It happened a month after Lance Rangihuna, Tibble’s partner and the children’s father, died in the same area, also in a suspected suicide.

A spokesperson for Rotoruabased coroner Heidi Wrigley said she was investigating the deaths of the Rangihunas and Tibble and was treating them as self-inflicted.

Stuff earlier revealed that Rangihuna was facing a historical sex charge at the time of his death.

Tibble’s brother, John Morice, told Stuff that she had left a note for him on the day she died, instructing that she and the children be cremated and interred with Rangihuna at a family urupa.

He said she had lived with him for about three weeks after Rangihuna died but there was no indication anything was wrong and she was making plans for the future.

Police said in a statement the fact that there were no survivors presented a ‘‘unique challenge’’ but the investigation would be conducted ‘‘in the usual way’’.

‘‘This involves examining a range of possible contributing factors including environmental ... and the people involved through avenues like witness and family statements. Police findings help advise the coroner, who will make ultimate determination on cause of death for all involved.

‘‘Police acknowledge the significant impact [these deaths have] had on the local community.’’

Data obtained by Stuff as part of the Homicide Report shows that, since 2004, 16 children have been killed by a parent who then