NATIONAL NEWS:- Homicide inquiry after suspicious death of eight-year-old child in Southland

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An 8-year-old boy killed in Southland had a “cheeky smile” that touched the hearts of anyone he met, a family friend says. Police were called to an incident at a property in Otautau, 40km north-west of Invercargill, on Wednesday night.

On Thursday, Southland area commander Inspector Mike Bowman revealed an 8 year-old child – understood to be a boy – had died in suspicious circumstances. Police have launched a homicide investigation. Two properties are cordoned off.

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A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said a man, woman and child moved into the house only a week ago. the boy is the 11th child aged under 14 to have died in suspicious circumstances in New Zealand in 2019. On average, there are nine child homicides in this country every year.

Karl Jackson said he received a call on Wednesday night from the boy’s father, his friend, who was crying. He’d just learned his son was dead.

“I go to him, ‘are you sure’ and he goes, ‘it’s true’. I just freaked out and broke down.” Jackson said he was “shattered” for the family. “Words can’t explain the hurt and discomfort has occurred in the little rural town in western Southland.”

Police were called to Otautau, Southland, on Wednesday. photo / Stuff

He said the young boy was “one of a kind”, and would be missed by many. “His cheeky smile that touched hearts wherever he went.” Bowman said police were talking to a number of witnesses in relation to the inquiry.

“We wish to reassure members of the public this was an isolated incident and there is no threat to their safety,” he said. People in the area said they had heard multiple emergency sirens and there was “a lot of police activity” in Otautau around 11pm on Wednesday.

Anyone with information that may assist this investigation is urged to contact police on 03 2110400 or 105. Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. At least 113 people have died in suspicious circumstances in New Zealand in 2019. That number includes the 51 people killed in the March 15 Christchurch terror attack.

At the same time last year there had been 54 homicides. Last year’s toll closed at 78, the worst since 2009 when 94 people were killed. On average, there are 70 homicides in New Zealand each year.

The Homicide Report,  shows that at least 1112 people – 295 women, 619 men, 198 young people – have been killed in New Zealand since January 1, 2004. New Zealand’s homicide rate of 1.6 per 100,000 people is well below the OECD average of 3.6 per 100,000.

Source: Stuff

Featured Image: The scene of suspicious child death in Southland town of Otautau. Photo / stuff

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