Killing rocks quiet cul-de-sac
A family believed to be at the centre of a homicide investigation in a leafy Rototuna street have been described as hard-working and quiet by shocked neighbours.
A 45-year-old woman has been charged with murder after a man died at a home in Cranmer Close, Rototuna in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Police have said the woman and dead man were known to each other, and that no-one else is being sought in the case.
The woman, represented by Charles Bean, appeared in the Hamilton District Court, reportedly via audiovisual link, and was granted name suppression. She will reappear in court in April
The incident unfolded on a quiet cul-desac in a suburb known more for quiet family life and afternoon walks with the dog than houses surrounded with police tape.
Neighbours of the home, which was surrounded by a police cordon as white-suited forensic staff worked at the scene, said they knew little about the family, who “were always alone”.
Nearby resident Mohammed Albayati said the family worked in hospitality.
The business the couple are believed to operate was closed yesterday.
Amy, who works in a nearby business and knew the husband co-owner from his university years, said the couple were “kind, law-abiding people”.
In the past few years, the couple didn’t employ any extra hands to help but worked tirelessly themselves to keep the business running seven days a week, all year round, she said. On weekends, family would often help out.
“They’re really nice. Sometimes when they make a wrong order, they’d bring the coffee to us to enjoy, and they’ve never argued with any customers.”
Although she had known the husband for more than 20 years, Amy said the couple often kept to themselves.
“They’ve been working tirelessly every day. They wouldn’t have many friends.”
A customer of the couple said she understood that the woman had recently returned from a trip to China, and brought her mother back to live with them for a while. She said the grey-haired lady helped in the business. “I don’t think they are bad people.” A neighbour of the family, Gohar Hayat, had returned home at 1am from his job managing a restaurant in the city. “The street was absolutely normal,” he said.
But while combing through some latenight emails, Hayat said, he heard “loud yelling” coming from nearby, and went to investigate. He immediately spotted police and eventually an ambulance parked outside a property across from his.
“It was a male voice, but at that time the police were there,” so he could not tell if it was police or a resident at the house yelling.
“I heard the police cars and the ambulance … the door of the ambulance was open when I went outside,” said another resident, who didn’t want to be named.
“We have a newborn baby, so we are awake at night ... we were really scared.”