Homicide victim a Mob member

Family mourn death of loved ‘joker of the party’

Ahomicide victim whose body was found after a house fire in Foxton was the “joker of the party” and dearly loved his three small children, a relative says.

Dean Kahukiwa, known by loved ones as Deanie boy or D-RED, has been named by police as the victim of the mysterious killing.

The 32-year-old was a Mongrel Mob member, and his death comes weeks after escalating gang tensions in nearby Palmerston North, where 27-year-old Hori Gage was fatally shot in his car in front of his horrified partner and children.

Kahukiwa’s body was found in a burning house on Reeve St in Foxton in the early hours of September 27. Firefighters were called to battle the blaze, and he was found dead inside. Police have not confirmed how long he is believed to have been dead before the fire, but said his death was suspicious.

While he was from Lower Hutt, police said he was a resident of Foxton at the time of his death.

A wha¯nau member told the Herald Kahukiwa was “an outthere person” who “loved his kids, loved everybody”.

‘‘Deanie, was a fun guy to be around. He was like the joker of the party. . . it’s actually quite hard just knowing that he’s actually gone. Bit of a bummer for our Wellington lot . . . and for this to happen, I don’t believe this was what they say it was. He was murdered.”

She said he has three young kids, and that he was an “awesome cousin”.

Another family member posted on Facebook, saying “Rest in love Deany Boy”.

Kahukiwa’s funeral was held in Petone, Lower Hutt early this month.

A police spokeswoman said the investigation into his death was ongoing and no arrests have been made yet.

“A scene examination and post-mortem have been completed and an investigation team based in Horowhenua is continuing work to establish the circumstances leading to Dean’s death and identify those responsible,” she said in a statement.

“The team is also working to support Dean’s wha¯nau.”

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation team is asked to contact police via 105 and quote file number 230927/1551.

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.