New Zealander in critical condition after partner and baby found dead in Queensland

A New Zealand man is in a serious condition in an Australian hospital following a disturbing incident that left his partner and their baby daughter dead in Logan, Queensland.

According to a report by Chris Marriner of Stuff, Blake Seers, 39, was reportedly seen running down a street shortly before he was struck by a car on Thursday morning. When police later attempted to notify his family, officers went to his nearby home and discovered the bodies of his partner, Kate Paterson, 38, and their one-year-old daughter, April.

The house was located only a few hundred metres from where Seers was hit by the vehicle. Authorities established a large crime scene covering the area between the home and the crash site, about 300 metres apart, after a trail of blood was reportedly seen along the route.

Queensland police detective superintendent Chris Ahearn said Seers had been seen with a neck wound shortly before the incident, as reported by Stuff.

Seers, originally from Auckland, attended Rangitoto College on the city’s North Shore. He later spent thirteen years studying and teaching marine science and statistics at the University of Auckland. In 2019, he moved to Australia to work at the Commonwealth Science and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) within its Climate Science Centre.

His family declined to comment when contacted by the media. Police said Seers remains unconscious and in a serious condition under guard at Princess Alexandra Hospital.

“Clearly we're anxious to speak with him so that we can get a fuller appraisal of the circumstances, Stuff has quoted.

“Any issues like mental health will be examined in the fullness of the investigation.”

Authorities said the deaths of Paterson and April are being treated as suspicious.

“What I indicate is, on cursory look, it looks like the injuries are consistent with an edged weapon,” Ahearn said, Stuff has quoted.

Investigators are also examining the nature of Seers and Paterson’s relationship and their living arrangements as part of the inquiry.

“Our minds are open as to what's gone on here,” Ahearn said.

On Friday night, more than 300 people attended a vigil for Paterson, who worked as a primary school teacher. Children wearing their school uniforms gathered with their families near her home to lay flowers, leave handwritten letters and light candles in memory of the mother and her young daughter, as reported by Stuff.