[Sparklechick]

Check this article out. The girl Tracey, was in my hockey team at High School and I used to play catch-kiss with Craig at Primary School ... he was in my class right up until High School (age 13 for those non NZers). He was quite a violent boy so this sort of action doesn't actually surprise me too much. Pretty freaky when it happens in such a small town such as this though. I didn't know that guy who was killed but he was a good friend of my brothers.

NZ News
Man charged with killing employer

16.08.2004
By TONY GEE
Kaikohe man Craig Ross is in custody charged with murdering his employer as police decide whether he should also face charges of abducting his estranged wife.

The murder charge follows the death of 53-year-old farmer Robert William Green, whose body was found by police with extensive head injuries in the lounge of his Te Pua Rd house, northeast of Kaikohe, on Friday.

It is understood Mr Green, who was not married and lived on his own, suffered shotgun wounds.

Police had gone to Mr Green's dairy farm as they sought employee Craig Ross, 30, and his 26-year-old former wife, Tracey Ross.

Mrs Ross had suddenly disappeared in suspicious circumstances from her home in Lake Rd, a few kilometres away, leaving her two young children at home alone.

The children were found unharmed by a concerned neighbour, who called police.

Craig and Tracey Ross, travelling in Mr Green's four-wheel-drive ute, were at the centre of a search by more than 20 police for almost 24 hours before Ross called police on the emergency 111 service and described where he and Mrs Ross could be found.

Police swooped on a quarry in the Taheke area, 18km west of Kaikohe, on Saturday morning and found the pair unharmed.

Craig Ross was later arrested and charged with Mr Green's murder.

He is to appear in the Kaikohe District Court today.

The officer in charge of Kaikohe police, Senior Sergeant Chris Scahill, said Tracey Ross told police she had been abducted.

"She was distraught and shaken up, but now she's back with her family, parents and children.

"We're still talking to her, so we can't decide on any further charges until we hear her full account, but she's better than she was 24 hours ago," Mr Scahill said yesterday.

He said Mrs Ross and her husband had been separated for about four months.

Mr Scahill said police were still working at the homicide scene in Te Pua Rd, interviewing background witnesses and piecing together what had happened.

"We've got indications of something but it's still too early to say what might have caused these events."

[kall]

And I know Tony Gee really well...he wrote the story.

In a small country like NZ, it's only a matter of time before someone you know features in something horrible like this.



*hugs* to your bro and the families affected.

*edit* And holy crap. I knew it was head injuries, but I didn't realise it was from a shotgun.

[Penny]

It is freaky when you hear about stuff like that.

I remember being shocked when I heard about this guy that had lived with us at one stage was arrested for Murder. He was my mothers friend and not long before he did it he lived with us, then I found out he went back to Mum afterwards and asked if he could live there again for a while. The situation didn't allow at that time so Mum said no.

I just felt sorry for Mums friend and all stuff she had to go to.

[Sparklechick]

It certainly makes me glad I'm not living there any more.

[NiteFenix]

It certainly affects a person in an emotional way when someone you know inflicts violence upon someone else you know.

About 3 years ago my neighbour shot and killed his wife and himself in our driveway. Having seen it happen first hand was one of the most traumatic experiences of my life.

One never heals after such an episode.

Not completely.

[edshuck]

My wishes for the best go out to the families of all those involve.

peace