Murder of Amber-Rose Rush

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Amber-Rose Rush was a 16-year-old New Zealander whose death in Dunedin in February 2018 drew extensive national media coverage. Venod Skantha, a 30-year-old Dunedin doctor, was subsequently charged with her murder. The trial of Skantha commenced on 4 November 2019 at the Dunedin High Court on a charge of murder and four counts of threatening to kill. On 26 November 2019, Skantha was found guilty of all charges. In 2020 he was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum non-parole term of 19 years. On 14 April 2021, the New Zealand Court of Appeal dismissed Skantha's appeal and affirmed his conviction. The following day, Skantha was reported to have died in custody.

Contents

Background

Amber-Rose Rush was a 16-year-old from the Dunedin suburb of Corstorphine. Her family described her as a talented artist. She had ambitions of becoming a police officer. According to a media report, she had recently left school to start work in a shop. [1] [2]

On 3 February 2018, Amber-Rose Rush's mother Lisa Ann Rush, her partner Brendon MacNee, and older brother Jayden Rush had found the Dunedin teenager dead in her own bedroom. In court, Jayden recalled that he had knocked on her door after midnight but did not get a response from her and assumed she was asleep. The family subsequently contacted the police. [3] [1] [4]

Investigation

The Police cordoned off the property and carried out a forensic scene examination over the weekend. [1] Emergency services also searched a nearby Dunedin quarry as part of the investigation into her death. Police officers also searched a nearby pond at Blackhead Quarry. They also sought to speak to anyone who have visited the quarry or beach area between 11.30pm on February 2 and 12.30am on February 3. Police also took an interest in the a dark-coloured vehicle believed to be a Toyota Camry, which was parked in the car park at Blackhead Quarry. [3] [2]

As part of their investigation, the Police drained a swamp at Blackhead Quarry, from which they recovered Amber-Rose's Huawei cellphone. The phone was replicated and its contents were later used as evidence by the Crown. [4]

Suspect

The sole suspect was Venod Skantha, who at the time of Amber-Rose Rush's death had worked as a house officer at the Dunedin Public Hospital, which was then managed by the Southern District Health Board. [5] According to media reports, the Malaysian–born Skantha had previously lived in Auckland's North Shore suburb with his parents. He studied medicine at the University of Auckland. In mid-2016, Skantha started his medical career at Southland Hospital in Invercargill before transferring to the Dunedin Public Hospital the following year. According to media reports, Skantha and Amber-Rose knew each other. [6] [7] [8]

While living in Dunedin, Skantha had socialized with young people including teenagers, to whom he supplied drugs and alcohol. He also gained a reputation for alcoholism and erratic attention-seeking behaviour. Skantha sought relationships with several women and girls, reportedly fondling them and offering money for sex. [8] [9] Prior to Amber-Rose's death, Skantha had reportedly faced dismissal from the Dunedin Public Hospital for being drunk while performing a procedure and negligent behaviour. However, he had escaped dismissal by claiming that his mother had died, which turned out to be untrue. [10] [11]

Amber-Rose was part of Skantha's Dunedin social circle but relations between the two had deteriorated by early February 2018. According to the Crown, during a heated exchange on February 2, 2018, the victim had threatened to report Skantha to his employers and the authorities for molesting teenagers, offering them money for sex, and supplying them with alcohol during a heated Instagram exchange. The Crown argued that the defendant had hired a teenage friend to drive him to Amber-Rose's house where he murdered her in order to prevent her from reporting him to the authorities. The witness had later cleaned Skantha's silver BMW and shoes but afterwards reported him to the police. [12] [13]

Pre-trial

On 5 February 2018, Venod Skantha appeared in the Dunedin District Court and was charged with the murder of Amber-Rose. The accused was given interim name suppression but was identified as a registered junior doctor who was popular with teenagers. [14] [1] [3] On 21 May, Skantha was identified as the suspect after the Court of Appeal declined his application for name suppression. In addition, the defendant was also charged with four counts of threatening to kill. [6] [7] On 23 May, Skantha was also charged with indecent sexual assault. [15] [16]

In August 2018, Skantha dismissed his Auckland-based defence lawyer Mark Ryan in favour of the Christchurch-based Jonathan Eaton. That same month, Skantha's application for electronically monitored bail was denied by the Dunedin High Court. In September 2018, that decision was upheld by the Court of Appeal. [17] On 15 August, Skantha appealed to the Court of Appeal for bail. [18] The defendant had been remanded into custody at the Otago Corrections Facility in Milton in the Otago Region. [17] In early September 2018, the Court of Appeal dismissed Skantha's appeal against the refusal of bail. [19]

On 22 November 2018, Skantha appeared via video link in the Dunedin High Court to discuss pre-trial issues. [17] [20] On 17 January 2019, the Dunedin High Court dismissed Skantha's bid to have his trial moved out of Dunedin. [21] Following a hearing held in March 2019, Skantha was denied bail a fourth time on 2 April 2019. Skantha's application for bail had been denied by the Dunedin High Court and the Court of Appeal three times. [22] [23]

Trial

The trial of Venod Skantha commenced on 4 November 2019 before Justice Gerald Nation and a jury of ten men and two women. [24] The Crown prosecutor Richard Smith said that Amber-Rose Rush was part of a group of teenagers that Skantha had befriended and supplied alcohol and drugs. The Crown argued that Skantha had allegedly indecently assaulted Amber-Rose in early 2018 and claimed that he had murdered her in order to prevent her from informing the authorities, which would have ended his medical career. The Crown also said that Skantha had gotten a 16-year-old friend (who has name suppression) to drive him to Amber-Rose's house so that he could murder her. The Crown said that blood likely to belong to Amber-Rose had been found in the defendant's silver BMW, a plastic bag containing the defendant's clothes, and a pair of shoes found at the defendant's girlfriend's house in Balclutha. Skantha's defence lawyer Jonathan Eaton QC disputed the Crown's evidence, claiming that his client did not know the layout of the Rush home. [25] [26]

During the first week, the forensic pathologist Dr Kate White, who conducted the autopsy on Amber-Rose, testified that the victim had died from an 11 cm-long incised wound to the left side of her neck, which penetrated her carotid artery and windpipe, causing her to bleed to death. Jurors were provided with photos depicting Amber-Rose's body. White also testified that the victim had sustained stab wounds to the back of her neck and two "superficial" horizontal cuts to her throat. Defence lawyer Eaton asked White whether she could verify that the attack was left or right-handed. The Crown also presented CCTV photos of a car matching Skantha's silver BMW traveling on the route to Amber-Rose's house on the night of her death and social media communication between the defendant and Amber-Rose prior to the alleged murder. [27] [4]

Amber-Rose's older sister Shantelle also testified that she had warned her younger sister against the idea of moving into Skantha's home, believing that he was planning to sexually groom her. Amber-Rose's boyfriend Kristin Clark also testified that Amber-Rose had sent him screenshots of her messages with Skantha. [4] On 6 November, the Crown said that Skantha had burnt his bloodstained clothes in a large terracotta pot at his girlfriend Brigid Clinton's home in Balclutha. Skantha's former girlfriend Brigid Clinton testified that Skantha had visited Amber-Rose's grieving mother, initially suggesting her daughter's death was a suicide before naming some potential suspects. Clinton also testified that Skantha had been agitated and anxious following Amber-Rose's death, wounding himself with a samurai sword shortly before they were questioned by Police on 4 February 2018. [28] [4]

On 11 November, the Crown's star witness, the teenager who had accompanied Skantha during the time of the alleged murder, testified that Skantha's clothes had been bloodstained. He also told the Court that the defendant had admitted killing Amber-Rose, and had also taken her cellphone and driver's license. He testified that the pair had driven to Blackhead Quarry to dispose of Amber-Rose's phone before heading to Skantha's Fairfield home where the alleged clean-up began. The teenager claimed that he had deliberately done a sloppy cleaning job in order to leave a trail of evidence for the police, including a blood stain on Skantha's grey suede shoes. The witness also testified that they had then driven to Clinton's house in Balclutha where Skantha allegedly burned his bloodstained clothes. The witness admitted being a "compulsive liar" but maintained that his account of the events were true. [29] [30] The Crown has also earlier claimed that Skantha had threatened to kill the teenager. [31] During cross-examination, defence lawyer Eaton QC accused the teenage witness of killing Amber-Rose, citing his estranged relationship with the victim and his knowledge of her house layout. [32] [33]

During the second week of the trial, Crown witness ESR (Institute of Environmental Science and Research) scientist Timothy Power testified that blood found on the defendant's suede shoes and car window were 800,000 million times more likely to have originated from Amber-Rose than anyone else. A mixed DNA profile belong to Skantha and Amber-Rose was also recovered from the inside passenger door. Defence lawyer Eaton QC accused the Crown's teenage witness of planting the evidence on the shoe in order to frame the doctor. In addition, Amber-Rose's blood was found in a bag containing the defendant's clothes. None of the defendant's DNA was found in Amber-Rose's room. [34] [35] [36]

On 18 November, Detective Constable Amy Stewart, who had posed as a friend of the Rush family, testified that Skantha did not appear upset when meeting with the Amber-Rose's mother Lisa-Ann following her daughter's death to offer his condolences. She also testified that Skantha had suggested other possible suspects including her step-father and an ex-boyfriend who had broken Amber-Rose's arm. [37] [38] [39] On 19 November, two female Crown witnesses alleged that the defendant had groped them. That same day, Skantha's former supervisor, Southern District Health Board chief medical officer Dr Nigel Millar, testified that Skantha had lied about his mother's death in order to escape being dismissed from his employment for drinking while working and negligence. [10] [11]

On 22 November, the Crown played Skantha's police interview in court. During the interview, Skantha claimed that Amber-Rose was a friend and denied killing her. [40] [41] On 26 November, the Crown and defence delivered their closing arguments to the court. Crown prosecutor Bates argued that Skantha had murdered the defendant to prevent Amber-Rose from exposing his indiscretions to the authorities, which would have caused him to lose his career and lifestyle. Defence lawyer Eaton QC disputed the Crown's case, claiming that the Crown's teenage star witness was unreliable due to his habit of lying and that the Crown had failed to investigate whether the witness had murdered the defendant. During the trial, the defence did not produce any witnesses. [42] [43] [44]

On 26 November, Skantha was unanimously found guilty by the jury of murder and four counts of threatening to kill the Crown's witness and their family. The trial lasted three and a half weeks with the Crown calling 69 witnesses and presenting more than 1,000 pages of evidence. The verdict was welcomed by Amber-Rose's family including her father Shane Rush. The defendant was remanded into custody until 6 March 2020 for sentencing. [12] [13] [45]

On 6 March 2020, Skantha was sentenced to a life sentence with a non-parole term of 19 years in the Dunedin High Court. The sentence was welcomed by Rush's family including her father. Skantha has maintained his innocence and his lawyer Eaton announced that he would be appealing the verdict on the basis of a miscarriage of justice. [46] [47] Rush's family were upset that Skantha wore earplugs during the victim impact statement by her deceased mother and subsequent sentencing. [48] He was not convicted of indecent assault. [49]

Skantha's appeal and death

In mid-November 2020, Skantha's lawyer Jonathan Eaton, QC appealed the verdict at the New Zealand Court of Appeal, claiming that the trial judge Justice Gerald Nation lacked "essential balance" and sided with the prosecution. The Crown defended the Judge, arguing that he balanced his comments in considerable overall detail. [50]

On 14 April 2021, the Court of Appeal dismissed Skantha's appeal against his conviction, ruling that they were satisfied that the evidence proved that the man killed Rush and also threatened to kill four people in order to silence a witness. Rush's father Shane welcomed the Court of Appeal's ruling, stating that the trial and appeal process had cost the family significant stress. [51]

The following day, it was reported that Skantha had died in custody at the Otago Corrections Facility the previous day. His death was not treated as suspicious and has been referred to the Coroner. [52] Corrections officials acknowledged that they were unaware of the dismissal of Skantha's appeal but confirmed that Skantha had received communication about the Court of Appeal's dismissal in a phone call from a representative of his legal counsel. In addition, Corrections confirmed that they had attempted to save Skantha's life. Shane Rush expressed relief that the family would no longer need to concern themselves with appeals or parole hearings following Skantha's death, while conveying his condolences to Skantha's family. [53]

Reactions

Amber-Rose Rush's family and friends held a funeral at Hope and Sons Chapel in South Dunedin. Several family members also got tattoos based on Amber's bird and flower design as a tribute to the late teenager. [54] A "Givealittle" fundraiser page was also set up, which had raised NZ$8,445 by 14 February 2018. [55]

On 14 June 2018, a fake Instagram account of Amber-Rose was taken down after complaints from her family. [56] [57] That same month, it was reported that Amber-Rose's mother Lisa-Ann had died in an alleged suicide. [58] [59]

On 10 November 2019, Radio New Zealand broadcaster Colin Peacock compared the media coverage of the Amber-Rose Rush murder trial to the Grace Millane murder trial, arguing that foreign media outlets' breaches of New Zealand name suppression orders in both cases threatened the fair trial rights for defendants. [60] Similarly, an Otago Daily Times editorial published on 23 November argued that the Rush and Millane murder cases highlighted the fact that women were statistically more likely to be victims of violent crimes than men. [61]

Notes and references

  1. 1 2 3 4 Sherwood, Sam (5 February 2018). "Dunedin teen allegedly murdered as her family slept". Stuff . Archived from the original on 23 November 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  2. 1 2 "Item of interest found as police investigate murder of Amber-Rose Rush". Stuff . 8 February 2018. Archived from the original on 23 November 2019. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  3. 1 2 3 Peacock, Alice (7 February 2018). "Amber-Rose murder: Mother found daughter dead in Dunedin home". New Zealand Herald . Archived from the original on 22 May 2018. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 McNeilly, Hamish (8 November 2019). "A week inside the trial of Dr Venod Skantha". Stuff . Archived from the original on 12 November 2019. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  5. ↑ "Man accused of murdering Dunedin teen Amber-Rose Rush named". 1News . 21 May 2018. Archived from the original on 23 November 2019. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  6. 1 2 Kidd, Rob (21 May 2018). "Doctor named as Amber-Rose murder accused". Otago Daily Times . Archived from the original on 23 June 2020. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  7. 1 2 McNeilly, Hamish (21 May 2018). "Venod Skantha named as Dunedin doctor accused of murdering teen Amber-Rose Rush". Stuff . Archived from the original on 25 January 2019. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  8. 1 2 Kidd, Rob (29 November 2019). "'Uncle Vinny' went from 'celebrity' to out of control". Otago Daily Times . Archived from the original on 25 December 2019. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
  9. ↑ "Venod Skantha's erratic behaviour drew final warning from Southern District Health Board". New Zealand Herald . 30 November 2019. Archived from the original on 27 April 2020. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
  10. 1 2 McNeilly, Hamish (19 November 2019). "Woman says doctor accused of Amber-Rose Rush's murder sexually assaulted her". Stuff . Archived from the original on 19 November 2019. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  11. 1 2 Kidd, Robb (20 November 2019). "Amber-Rose Rush trial: Accused 'groped sleeping woman', court hears". New Zealand Herald . Archived from the original on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  12. 1 2 Kidd, Rob (27 November 2019). "Guilty! Doctor murdered Amber-Rose". Otago Daily Times . Archived from the original on 23 December 2019. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  13. 1 2 Allott, Amber (27 November 2019). "Dunedin doctor murder trial: Justice for our beautiful girl, says Amber-Rose Rush's dad". New Zealand Herald . Archived from the original on 3 May 2020. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  14. ↑ Kidd, Robb (5 February 2018). "Corstorphine death: man charged with murdering girl". Otago Daily Times . Archived from the original on 23 November 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  15. ↑ Kidd, Rob (23 May 2018). "Murder-accused also facing indecent assault charge". Newstalk ZB . Archived from the original on 2 August 2018. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  16. ↑ McNeilly, Hamish (23 May 2018). "Dunedin doctor Venod Skantha facing indecent assault charge alongside murder". Stuff . Archived from the original on 1 October 2018. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  17. 1 2 3 Kidd, Rob (23 November 2018). "Court locked down as doctor on murder charge appears". Otago Daily Times . Archived from the original on 23 June 2020. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  18. ↑ McNeilly, Hamish (15 August 2018). "Murder accused Dunedin doctor Venod Skantha appeals for bail". Southland Times . Stuff. Archived from the original on 26 November 2018. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  19. ↑ McNeilly, Hamish (6 September 2018). "Dunedin doctor Venod Skantha accused of killing teen loses bail appeal". Stuff . Archived from the original on 29 November 2018. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  20. ↑ Kidd, Rob (22 November 2019). "Doctor Venod Skantha, accused of murdering Dunedin teen Amber-Rose Rush, back in court". New Zealand Herald . Archived from the original on 1 February 2019. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  21. ↑ Kidd, Rob (19 January 2019). "Doctor may appeal after bid for murder trial outside Dunedin fails". Otago Daily Times . Archived from the original on 23 June 2020. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  22. ↑ Kidd, Rob (2 April 2019). "Murder accused denied bail again". Otago Daily Times . Archived from the original on 2 April 2019. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  23. ↑ McNeilly, Hamish (2 April 2019). "Dunedin doctor accused of murder Venod Skantha denied bail again". Stuff . Archived from the original on 16 May 2019. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  24. ↑ "Jury selected in trial of man accused of killing Amber-Rose Rush". Radio New Zealand . 4 November 2019. Archived from the original on 23 November 2019. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  25. ↑ "Dunedin doctor murder trial: Accused Venod Skantha killed teen Amber-Rose Rush to protect his career: Crown". New Zealand Herald . 4 November 2019. Archived from the original on 30 April 2020. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  26. ↑ Molyneux, Vita; Goosselink, Dave (4 November 2019). "Dunedin doctor accused of murdering teenage girl after she threatened to expose his behaviour to his employer". Newshub . Archived from the original on 5 November 2019. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  27. ↑ Kidd, Rob (8 November 2019). "Fatal wound severed vital artery". Otago Daily Times . Archived from the original on 23 June 2020. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  28. ↑ "Amber-Rose Rush's death a 'suicide': Murder accused to victim's mum". New Zealand Herald . 7 November 2019. Archived from the original on 15 December 2019. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  29. ↑ Kidd, Robb (12 November 2019). "Friend says murder accused told him 'no-one could survive that'". Otago Daily Times . Archived from the original on 23 June 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  30. ↑ "Dunedin doctor murder trial: Teen told police Venod Skantha admitted killing Amber-Rose Rush". New Zealand Herald . 11 November 2019. Archived from the original on 23 February 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  31. ↑ McNeilly, Hamish (6 November 2019). "Murder-accused Venod Skantha allegedly threatened teen friend after killing Amber-Rose". Stuff . Archived from the original on 6 November 2019. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  32. ↑ McNeilly, Hamish (12 November 2019). "Tables turned on key Crown witness in Venod Skantha murder trial". Stuff . Archived from the original on 14 December 2019. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  33. ↑ Kidd, Robb (16 November 2019). "Blood found in car most likely to be from victim". Otago Daily Times . Archived from the original on 18 December 2019. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  34. ↑ "Dunedin murder trial: The grey suede shoe and the droplet of blood". Stuff . 14 November 2019. Archived from the original on 14 November 2019. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  35. ↑ Kidd, Rob (15 November 2019). "Blood found on doctor's shoes, car and bag, court hears". Otago Daily Times . Archived from the original on 23 June 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  36. ↑ McNeilly, Hamish (15 November 2019). "Dunedin murder trial: DNA evidence from car and shoes 'extremely strong'". Stuff . Archived from the original on 15 November 2019. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  37. ↑ "Key witness in Amber-Rose Rush murder was afraid for his life". Otago Daily Times . 19 November 2019. Archived from the original on 19 November 2019. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  38. ↑ McNeilly, Hamish (18 November 2019). "'Who is capable of that?', grieving mother asks murder-accused Dunedin doctor". Stuff . Archived from the original on 18 November 2019. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  39. ↑ "Amber-Rose Rush murder trial: Doctor offered victim's mum hug, place to stay". Radio New Zealand . 18 November 2019. Archived from the original on 21 April 2020. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  40. ↑ "Dunedin doctor murder trial: Skantha told police he is 'definitely not a creep'". New Zealand Herald . 22 November 2019. Archived from the original on 23 February 2020. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  41. ↑ "Amber Rose-Rush murder trial: Jury views Venod Skantha police interview". Radio New Zealand . 22 November 2019. Archived from the original on 25 February 2020. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  42. ↑ "Crown claims Amber-Rose Rush was silenced to protect career of man accused of killing her". 1News . 26 November 2019. Archived from the original on 23 June 2020. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  43. ↑ McNeilly, Hamish (26 November 2019). "Who killed Amber-Rose Rush - the star witness or the doctor?". Stuff . Archived from the original on 28 November 2019. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  44. ↑ Kidd, Rob (26 November 2019). "Amber-Rose Rush murder trial: Crown, defence wrap up case in Dunedin". New Zealand Herald . Archived from the original on 3 May 2020. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  45. ↑ "Guilty verdict in Amber-Rose Rush murder trial". Radio New Zealand . 27 November 2019. Archived from the original on 21 April 2020. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  46. ↑ Kidd, Rob (6 March 2020). "Amber-Rose's killer Venod Skantha sentenced to at least 19 years". Otago Daily Times . Archived from the original on 14 March 2020. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  47. ↑ McNeilly, Hamish (6 March 2020). "Doctor who murdered Dunedin teen Amber-Rose Rush jailed". Stuff . Archived from the original on 6 March 2020. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  48. ↑ Kidd, Rob (14 March 2020). "'Disgusted' earplugs worn". Otago Daily Times . Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  49. ↑ "The Queen vs Venod Skantha" (PDF). Dunedin High Court. 9 March 2020. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 March 2020. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  50. ↑ "Trial of Dunedin doctor "lacked essential balance," appeal told". Stuff . 24 November 2020. Archived from the original on 25 November 2020. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  51. ↑ Hudson, Daisy (15 April 2021). "Family relieved Skantha loses appeal". Otago Daily Times . Archived from the original on 19 April 2021. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  52. ↑ "Murderer doctor Venod Skantha dies in prison day after losing appeal". The New Zealand Herald . 15 April 2021. Archived from the original on 22 April 2021. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  53. ↑ Hudson, Daisy (15 April 2021). "Family 'relieved' at news of Skantha's death". Otago Daily Times . Archived from the original on 17 April 2021. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  54. ↑ Meng-Yee, Caroline (10 February 2018). "Loved ones farewell Dunedin teen Amber-Rose Rush who had a 'big heart'". New Zealand Herald . Archived from the original on 22 February 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  55. ↑ "Funds to Help Amber-Rose's family". Givealittle.co.nz. Archived from the original on 23 November 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  56. ↑ Block, George (14 June 2018). "Family upset over fake Amber Rose Rush Instagram profile". New Zealand Herald . Archived from the original on 27 November 2018. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  57. ↑ "Fake Instagram account of killed Dunedin teenager Amber-Rose Rush taken down". Stuff . 14 June 2018. Archived from the original on 18 June 2020. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  58. ↑ "Murdered teen Amber Rose Rush's mother dies". Newshub . 13 June 2018. Archived from the original on 14 June 2018. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
  59. ↑ "Amber-Rose family hit with second tragedy: 'We haven't got much left'". Otago Daily Times . 13 June 2018. Archived from the original on 17 June 2018. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
  60. ↑ Peacock, Colin (10 November 2019). "Murder trials reported in distressing detail". Radio New Zealand . Archived from the original on 15 December 2019. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  61. ↑ "The need to address sexual violence". Otago Daily Times . 23 November 2019. Archived from the original on 7 February 2020. Retrieved 30 November 2019.

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On the night of September 6, 2018, 26-year-old accountant Botham Jean was murdered in Dallas, Texas, by off-duty Dallas Police Department patrol officer Amber Guyger, who entered Jean's apartment and fatally shot him. Guyger, who said that she had entered Jean's apartment believing it was her own and believed Jean to be a burglar, was initially charged with manslaughter. The absence of a murder charge led to protests and accusations of racial bias because Jean—an unarmed black man—was killed in his own home by a white off-duty officer who had apparently disregarded police protocols. On November 30, 2018, Guyger was indicted on a charge of murder. On October 1, 2019, she was found guilty of murder and was sentenced to ten years' imprisonment the following day. The ruling was upheld on appeal in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Murder of Grace Millane</span> 2018 killing of a British tourist in New Zealand

Grace Emmie Rose Millane was a British tourist who was murdered in Auckland, New Zealand, in December 2018. A 26-year-old man, Jesse Shane Kempson, was charged with her murder on 8 December 2018. Millane's body was found in the Waitākere Ranges to the west of Auckland on 9 December 2018.

On 10 May 2021, shortly after 14:30 NZST, four people were stabbed at the Countdown supermarket in central Dunedin, New Zealand. The victims were two shoppers and two staff members, reportedly in the area close to the supermarket pharmacy. The attacker stabbed four people in a rampage, seriously injuring three of them. All four stabbing victims were admitted to Dunedin Hospital, with three in the ICU; and was reported that all four remained in hospital, with three in serious but stable conditions.

On 16 September 2021, Lauren Anne Dickason, a South African immigrant, murdered her three daughters, 6-year-old Liané, and 2-year-old twins Maya and Karla at her home in Timaru, New Zealand. After admitting to killing her children, she went on trial, denying that it was murder, but instead pleaded insanity or infanticide. She was found guilty of murdering her three children on 16 August 2023, and was sentenced on 26 June 2024 to 18 years in prison.

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