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Police searching for white T-shirt, track pants in child homicide investigation

Author
Maryana Garcia,
Publish Date
Wed, 11 Sep 2024, 11:35am

Police searching for white T-shirt, track pants in child homicide investigation

Author
Maryana Garcia,
Publish Date
Wed, 11 Sep 2024, 11:35am

- Hamilton police have issued two appeals to residents to keep an eye out for听clothing left on their properties

- Police are looking for a white T-shirt and light-coloured track pants that may have been discarded in the area

- The Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) has received two complaints against police in relation to the death of Zahquiel Taipeti

Police have issued a second appeal to residents in Bader, Hamilton to contact police if they have found any unfamiliar clothing on their property.

In a statement released today, a police spokesperson said the appeal applied to people living on Pine Ave, Anthony Crescent and Ansford Pl.

鈥淧olice are looking for a white T-shirt and light-coloured track pants that may have been discarded in the area,鈥� a statement said.

鈥淚f [residents] have located any clothing on their property or under their houses around September 1, they are asked to contact police.鈥�

This is the second appeal police have made to residents of the neighbourhood.

On Thursday, police asked residents 鈥渘ot to throw out any clothing鈥� they may have found on their property.

鈥淩esidents are asked to urgently contact police if they have located any white clothing on their property in the last week.鈥�

Eight-year-old Zahquiel Taipeti is alleged to have been sleeping in the same room as his father when they were attacked.Eight-year-old Zahquiel Taipeti is alleged to have been sleeping in the same room as his father when they were attacked.

Attacked with a hammer as he slept

On September 1, a man allegedly attacked Zahquiel and his father with a hammer as they slept in bed.

The man is alleged to have then murdered the child and seriously injured two others, including Zahquiel鈥檚 father, Mitikiro Woods, as they slept.

Zahquiel is alleged to have been sleeping in the same room as his father when they were attacked.

A third victim was then allegedly attacked in an adjacent room.

It has been alleged the defendant and the third victim had a tussle over the alleged murder weapon after the attacks.

The听37-year-old murder accused appeared briefly in the Hamilton District Court听on Tuesday.

His name is suppressed and he did not enter a plea to the charge of murder.

He was remanded to appear in the High Court in Hamilton on September 17.

Police undertaking inquiries in the Bader area after the killing of 8-year-old Zahquiel Taipeti. Photo / Maryana GarciaPolice undertaking inquiries in the Bader area after the killing of 8-year-old Zahquiel Taipeti. Photo / Maryana Garcia

Family files complaint against police

Members of Zahquiel鈥檚 family filed a complaint with the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) last week.

They claimed that if proper procedure had been followed,听Zahquiel Taipeti听would still be alive.

It is one of two complaints received by the IPCA relating to Zahquiel鈥檚 alleged murder.

鈥淲e have received two complaints,鈥� confirmed IPCA resolutions manager Cath Anyan.

鈥淲e are currently considering the matter.鈥�

Police have issued a second appeal to residents in Bader, Hamilton following the killing of 8-year-old Zahquiel Taipeti. Photo / Maryana GarciaPolice have issued a second appeal to residents in Bader, Hamilton following the killing of 8-year-old Zahquiel Taipeti. Photo / Maryana Garcia

In addition, the matter was also referred to the IPCA by police themselves on September 3.

Zahquiel Taipeti鈥檚 family鈥檚 complaint against police included questions about police processes throughout that afternoon.

Police responded to听Herald inquiries with a statement.

鈥淲ith the matter before the courts, as well as with the IPCA, police are unable to provide any of the additional details requested.鈥�

Zahquiel Taipete, 8,  died after an attack in Hamilton. His father and another man were also injured.Zahquiel Taipete, 8, died after an attack in Hamilton. His father and another man were also injured.

鈥楻est in eternal love鈥� 鈥� family

Zahquiel鈥檚 tangi was held in Whakat膩ne on Friday.

Since the family鈥檚 announcement of Zahquiel鈥檚 death, friends and relatives have posted tributes online in his honour.

鈥淵ou didn鈥檛 deserve this Zah. Fly home to the arms of your mum,鈥� one online tribute said.

Another family member wrote: 鈥淩est in eternal love little cousin. Give mummy big hugs and loves from all of us.鈥�

鈥淕o rock the heavens with your old lady, my boy,鈥� posted another.

Maryana Garcia is a Hamilton-based reporter covering breaking news in Waikato. She previously wrote for the Rotorua Daily Post and Bay of Plenty Times.

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