Latest news with #JustFunerals
RNZ News
12-05-2025
- RNZ News
Gang member charged with arson at Māngere Bridge funeral home
No injuries were reported in the arson at Just Funerals in Māngere Bridge last month. Photo: Googlemaps Auckland Police have arrested a patched member of the Mongrel Mob gang, after an arson at a Māngere Bridge funeral home last month. The fire broke out at Just Funerals on Kirkbride Road in late April, with the building suffering minor damage. No injuries were reported. Officers searched four properties linked to the Mongrel Mob in South Auckland, arresting a 30-year-old patched member and charging him with arson. He is expected to appear in Manukau District Court on Tuesday. Police also found a pump-action shotgun and ammunition at one of the addresses. They charged two other gang members with breaching bail and another with an unrelated assault. "What was of real concern was that there were children present at the address the firearm was located at," Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Hayward of Counties Manukau CIB said. "However, overall, this is a pleasing outcome in that we have been able to catch up with the alleged offender and take another firearm out of circulation in the community." A 34-year-old man has been charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, and is also expected in court on Tuesday. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Otago Daily Times
28-04-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Gang links reportedly probed after funeral home fire
Police guards have been stationed outside a funeral home in South Auckland's Māngere Bridge as they investigate a suspicious fire that broke out overnight. Emergency services were called to a fire at a two-storey property on Kirkbride Rd at 11:50pm on Sunday. The building sustained minor damage but no injuries were reported. In a statement on Facebook, Just Funerals confirmed the fire took place at its Māngere location. "Thank you for your questions during this time in regard to the fire that took place at one of our Funeral Home locations on Kirkbride Road. "At this time we decline to comment on any questions by media and pushers. "This is under police investigation." Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Hayward said police were looking for four people who fled from the scene. "Four people were seen running from the area following the fire and enquiries are now under way to identify and locate them," Det Snr Sgt Hayward said. "Scene guards remain in place while a scene examination is completed today." Police would like to hear from anyone who was in the area or could have information. Meanwhile, Stuff is reporting it understands police are investigating whether the fire is linked to a dispute over the body of patched Mongrel Mob member Nassey August. On Sunday, a woman posted on social media that his family members were "devastated" after not getting answers about the whereabouts of his remains. She claimed August's body was transferred to Just Funerals after he died at North Shore Hospital last week. She asked anyone with information - particularly anyone connected to his named next of kin - to help them be able to lay their "beloved uncle" to rest following their Māori tikanga. "The ongoing lack of transparency has caused our whānau immense pain and distress. We will not rest until we have the truth, and until our uncle is returned to us so he may be honoured with love, respect." Stuff reported police would not confirm if the fire was related to August's body but said they were having ongoing conversations with the next of kin following a man's death of natural causes late last week. Fire and Emergency New Zealand Northern shift manager Josh Pennefather told RNZ a fire investigator had been at the property on Monday assisting police. He said they sent four fire trucks to the scene on Sunday night, but when crews arrived the fire on the ground floor had been put out. He said they stayed to monitor hotspots and to make sure the fire was out.
NZ Herald
28-04-2025
- NZ Herald
Just Funerals parlour fire linked to family fight over Mongrel Mobster Nassey August's body
Meanwhile, a woman has posted on social media saying she and her family did not know where her uncle's body was. He was patched mobster Nassey August. The woman said she wanted information on the whereabouts of August's next of kin. She claimed August's body was taken from North Shore Hospital, where he died, to Just Funerals. 'The ongoing lack of transparency has caused our whānau immense pain and distress. We will not rest until we have the truth, and until our uncle is returned to us so he may be honoured with love, respect. 'It has now been five days since the passing of our beloved uncle ... yet we remain without answers regarding the whereabouts of his remains. Our whānau is devastated and urgently calls on anyone with information ... to come forward immediately. 'Denying a whānau the right to farewell their loved one properly is a deep injustice, both culturally and spiritually,' she said. A police spokesman refused to comment on the claims. 'Police won't be speculating about the circumstances surrounding the fire at this time. An investigation into the fire last night remains ongoing,' the spokesman said. The funeral home also said they would not be commenting. Fire investigators comb ravaged property Fire and Emergency and police investigators remained at the two-storey property this morning, sifting through the damage. The brick and tile property was left with a smashed front door with scorch marks blackening the outside of a broken side window. The damage was minor, and no injuries were reported. 'Police would like to hear from anyone who was in the area or who may have information to assist with this investigation,' Hayward said. A neighbour said she heard loud noises overnight. 'We heard some noise last night, but I thought it was the wind and rain,' said the woman, who did not want to be named. She said it was 'sad' to hear the funeral premises had been hit by a fire. Police can be contacted via 105, or information can be provided online by using Update My Report. Reference file number 250428/4528. Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
