Shooting survivor speaks from Waikato Hospital bed
A survivor of a deadly shooting in a Hamilton home has spoken of her trauma from her hospital bed.
Kahlee Marfell spoke from her bed in a ward at Waikato Hospital addressing questions from family and friends about the fatal shooting that claimed the life of her boyfriend.
Robert Nelson, 23, died while shielding Marfell from the gunfire that unfolded in her family home in Matthews Cres, Melville early Sunday.
Another 17-yearold man, also shot at the house, remains critical in Waikato Hospital.
In the live post on Facebook, Marfell told people not to be scared and to ask questions. ‘‘If I feel they are too hard to answer I won’t, please bear with me,’’ she said.
‘‘I’m fine guys,’’ she said wearing a hospital gown with bandages around her left arm and leg.
‘‘You get shot how many times and you’re still alive – that’s a solid effort.
‘‘I’m still alive.’’ Marfell appeared to have suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was waiting for a trauma team to assess her wounds before they are washed out for fragments.
She said her arm remained sore and swollen with bandages stretching from her upper arm to her wrist. Her left leg was also bandaged up.
Marfell told her father she was going in for another surgery on Tuesday and intended to get as much sleep as possible before then.
‘‘I’m so thankful to all of you guys who have been there for me.
‘‘I love you all and will see you soon.’’
The 20-year-old is currently on restricted visitor numbers. She said she would be writing a list of those she wanted to visit. On Monday Marfell relayed a message to Stuff saying that the ‘‘light of her world had been snuffed out’’ with the loss of her boyfriend of five years.
‘‘I’ve lost the love of my life and I don’t know how to cope.’’
Robert, 23, is being remembered as a hero for protecting his 20-year-old girlfriend from the gunfire that ensued inside Kahlee Marfell’s family home in Melville overnight on Saturday.
Police were yet to provide an update on the shooting investigation.