The Canterbury District Health Council (CDHB) announced today that they are conducting a review after days of questions about how the 37-year-old man was admitted to the community.
Laisa Waka Tunidau, 52, took the bus home from work and was meters from her home in Cheyenne St, Sockburn, when she was attacked around 4:20 p.m. Saturday.
Dr Peter Bramley, CEO of CDHB, today expressed his sympathy with his family.
“My thoughts are with her family and friends during this very sad time,” he said in a statement.
“I can confirm that the man accused of her murder was a patient of the DHB’s specialist mental health service at Hillmorton, who was on community leave.
“When a serious adverse event occurs in which patients are involved in our care, a full review is performed. A serious event review looks closely at the care provided.
“I can assure the public that if there are recommendations for changes that need to be made as a result of our own, or any external review, it will be acted upon.
“We continue to assist the police with their investigations and as this matter is before the courts, it is not appropriate that we currently make any further comments.”
Tunidau’s 11-year-old son was left “traumatized” after watching emergency services try to rescue a woman outside his family home, unaware that it was his mother.
The small and close-knit community draws together around the father and son. They have not yet returned home, but have found a safe place to live.
A Givealittle page launched yesterday to support the family has already raised more than $ 30,000.
Fijian community leader and congregation member Una Tikoi said earlier that the fatal stab wound had destroyed family and friends.
“The community is not happy … the community is angry with our beloved friend and mother whose life was recklessly taken away,” Tikoi said.
People ask why the man was allowed to be in the community when he was a “sick man”, Tikoi said.
Funeral plans are still being finalized, but it is likely that Tunidau will return to Fiji to say goodbye to loved ones.
She has four children, three of whom live back in her homeland.
Waqasokolala, who knew the family well and often stayed at their Sockburn home, rushed to Cheyenne St after the incident on Saturday.
He said the grieving man Nemani Tunidau was upset but tried to stay strong for his children.
“I lost a woman, his beloved,” Waqasokolala said.
“Only time will heal and he will get through it with God’s blessing and God’s permission.
“He is trying to be a very strong and supportive father figure for his son at the moment.”
Waqasokolala is grateful for the support of the wider Christchurch community, with stories of co-workers showing up with flowers and showing heartfelt condolences.
“It’s pretty cool, and that’s what Christchurch is known for,” he said.
Just before the accused appeared in court, Tunidau’s adult daughter in Fiji spoke of her grief over the loss of her beloved mother.
“I can not begin to express how much I am going to miss you. There is a big hole in my heart and I do not know how I am going to get it right. I will always think of you, mom.”
The man accused of stabbing Tunidau to death was granted interim repression on Monday during a brief appearance from custody in Christchurch District Court.
He will appear in Christchurch High Court on July 15 – and a judge has asked for a report under section 38 of the Criminal Procedure (Mentally Handicapped Persons) Act 2003 to determine his suitability for trial.
Health Minister Andrew Little’s office has so far also declined to comment.
Christchurch residents’ hearts went out to the family and friends of Tunidau who were “killed in such a senseless, violent attack,” the city’s mayor, Lianne Dalziel, said.
“A crime of this nature will also have a devastating impact on the community, and they will also want answers on how and why it happened.”
Superintendent John Price, Canterbury District Commander, said the alleged murder was “a horrific, traumatic and haphazard attack on an innocent person who was simply on his way home from work”.
The traumatic, senseless act will have a huge impact on the community as a whole and right across New Zealand, he said.
“Nobody deserves it,” Price said.