Gofundme for slain student Kyle Whorrall's family raises close to $40,000
Whorrall was fatally attacked last Saturday on St Johns Rd in Meadowbank, East Auckland, while he waited at a bus stop with his groceries.
At a tearful vigil held yesterday, flatmates, who described themselves as his 'chosen family', broke down as they tried to speak.
'He was gentle, he was kind, he was very thoughtful,' one of the five flatmates said.
'He loved crafting and painting and sewing and creating plushies – he loved plushies so much, and plants.
'He cared deeply about what he did and the people in his life.'
Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin said yesterday police arrested a 16-year-old and charged him with Whorrall's murder.
He appeared in the Auckland District Court yesterday and also faced an aggravated robbery charge.
His case has been transferred to the High Court at Auckland for his next appearance on May 14.
As a youth, he has automatic name suppression.
A 32-year-old, charged with being an accessory after the fact to murder, also appeared and was granted interim name suppression.
Charging documents seen by the Herald allege she 'actively suppressed' evidence against the teen by selling a car to help him escape after arrest.
She has been remanded until the same date without plea.
Whorrall was struck with a 'long' weapon about 10pm on Saturday, suffering multiple head injuries, and later died in hospital.
Police had 'obtained further information' about a black SUV that became the subject of a media appeal when Baldwin held a press conference about the case on Tuesday.
'The Operation Aberfeldy team commenced investigations into this vehicle of interest and its movements.
'I can confirm we have now located this vehicle on the North Shore and it has been seized by police with a detailed forensic examination under way.'
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'I am persuaded by a very fine margin that a sentence of home detention could meet the purposes of denunciation and deterrence, which in my view are required, given your very serious offending, as well as addressing your rehabilitation and reintegration,' she said. She sentenced him to 10 months of home detention and 200 hours of community work. Melissa Nightingale is a Wellington-based reporter who covers crime, justice and news in the capital. She joined the Herald in 2016 and has worked as a journalist for 10 years.
