A quiet suburban street in Hastings has been shaken by a triple homicide that claimed the lives of a mother and her two young daughters, leaving a community in shock.
According to Stuff, emergency services were called to a home on Avenue Rd East around 6am on Sunday, where one person was found dead at the scene. Three others were taken to hospital, but two later died from their injuries. A man remains in serious condition. All four individuals were residents of the property.
Police have described the deaths of Bonnie Parkes and her daughters as a “distressing incident” and confirmed that a homicide investigation is underway. Authorities say they are not currently seeking anyone else in connection with the event and there is no ongoing risk to the wider public.
A former colleague said Parkes, a caregiver and mother-of-four, and her daughters suffered fatal stab wounds. Her husband, Marcus Lawrence, was also injured and is now in police custody.
The colleague said she had known the couple for years and described them as a loving family who had recently welcomed two young daughters. One of the children was an infant, while the other was a toddler. One died at home, and the other passed away in hospital along with their mother, Stuff has reported.
Speaking about the tragedy, she said, “We're in disbelief,” adding, “This is so left field, it's unbelievable.”
She also addressed speculation circulating online, calling it “ludicrous” and dismissing claims of gang involvement or racial assumptions, as quoted by Stuff.
Friends had reportedly seen the family together the day before at Te Mata Peak, appearing happy and taking photos. “I just don't get it,” she said, expressing relief that another child from a previous relationship was not present at the time, Stuff has reported.
Remembering Parkes, she said, “She loved her kids, she adored her children, she just blossomed into it,” and added, “She had a lot of aroha and just cared, she really cared,” as quoted by Stuff.
Hastings Mayor Wendy Schollum described the event as an “incredible tragedy” that would deeply affect the community. She said residents had woken to “fairly heartbreaking news.”
“Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones that are now facing what can only be described as an unimaginable loss,” she said, Stuff has quoted.
“This will absolutely be felt deeply beyond those directly affected, Hastings is an incredibly tight-knit community. I imagine that there will be huge parts of our community that are incredibly unsettled, shocked, and incredibly saddened today.”
She added that the community would come together to support one another. “They’ll be checking in on each other, supporting each other, and making sure that no one carries this grief alone,” Stuff has quoted.
Detective Inspector Martin James confirmed the sequence of events, saying one person was dead at the scene while three others were taken to hospital, where two later died. He reiterated that it was a “distressing incident” and that it was isolated to those involved, as reported by Stuff.
Neighbours reported hearing nothing unusual overnight and only became aware of the event when multiple police vehicles arrived in the morning.
A team of 30 investigators is working on the case, with scene examinations continuing as authorities piece together what led to the tragedy.
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