Latest news with #MitsubishiGrandis
NZ Herald
06-05-2025
- General
- NZ Herald
Slain US student Kyle Whorrall may be awarded a posthumous PhD, memorial pōhutukawa tree planted
Auckland Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson told the Herald that Whorrall only had three months to go to complete his thesis. 'The research had been done, he just needed to put it together.' A spokesperson for the University of Auckland, where Whorrall was completing his PhD in entomology, said they were considering awarding him an honorary doctorate. Yesterday, as Carole listened to the outpouring of love for her son through speeches, song, prayer and poems, a taonga pounamu hung around her neck. She told the Herald the taonga had been gifted to her by someone close to her son at the University of Auckland. 'It was a beautiful gift, it's a beautiful thing to take home with me.' Reverend Otene Rawiti, who led the service, blessed the taonga for her as the service finished. 'It's really special, [having it blessed here] was really special.' After she helped put the tree into the ground, Carole was the first to add the dirt around it. 'This is very healing,' she told Whorrall's flatmate and close friend. Earlier in the ceremony, Whorrall's flatmate and mother clung to each other as Rawiti explained to the crowd the meaning behind why a pōhutukawa was chosen. Rawiti explained the connection between the tree and its namesake, one of the seven stars, or daughters, of Matariki. The eldest child of Matariki, Pōhutukawa is said to be the star connected to the dead. 'Pōhutukawa reminds us of those who have passed on... it reminds us we must honour their memory. 'When you see the flowers, you'll see your son.' Speaking to the Herald after the memorial, Orakei Local Board chairman Scott Milne said there was still a 'profound sense of shock'. He said it was days like today, with bright blue skies and the sun shining overhead, that he sees a silver lining in such tragedy. 'We have seen such a coming together of the community and such an acknowledgement that we need to spend more time talking with each other, and listening to each other.' He said Carole told him she intended to come back with her family to visit the tree, to see her son in its flowers. 'I can see that, I can see that, that she has been changed, and she said so herself because I think she's been a little overwhelmed with the genuineness of what's happened here. 'She has embraced people who have felt deeply hurt, as of course, she and her family are just devastated.' Carole will travel back to America today with her son's body for a family funeral. Police investigation A 16-year-old boy has been charged with Whorrall's murder and aggravated robbery and a 32-year-old woman has been charged with being an accessory after the fact to murder. Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin said there had been no further arrests or charges in the homicide investigation but search warrants had been executed in the past few days. Police were following 'positive lines of inquiry', he told the Herald. Police had also found the occupants of a silver Mitsubishi Grandis they were seeking last week, saying that they could hold information about why Whorrall was killed. Carole said the police had been 'very diligent' in their investigation and 'extraordinarily kind' to the family.
NZ Herald
04-05-2025
- NZ Herald
Auckland bus stop killing: Kyle Whorrall remembered at Saint Johns Rd memorial
Carole Whorrall travelled to New Zealand from the United States and spoke to the Herald this week about how she wanted her son to be remembered. 'Kyle was a brilliant, gentle and deeply caring person whose love for the natural world shaped his life and inspired those around him,' she said in a written statement. 'He was passionate about his work and admired greatly by his colleagues and friends, of which he had many. 'He was dedicated to making a difference and about to embark on a brilliant career. He was deeply loved and admired by his family.' Kyle Whorrall, originally from Los Angeles, was in the last stages of a PhD in entomology at the University of Auckland and was based at Landcare Research in St Johns. The Ōrākei Local Board has arranged for another memorial service on Monday at St Johns Bush, where a pōhutukawa will be planted to honour Whorrall. His mother will fly home to California on Monday evening and said the family planned to hold his funeral there. 'There have been a number of memorials here in New Zealand by friends, colleagues and those who never knew him but wished to celebrate his life,' she said. 'We are deeply moved by the kindness and concern of everyone here in New Zealand.' A family friend has set up a crowdfunding page to help the family cover the costs of their travel, the funeral and other expenses. So far, US$53,000 ($89,000) has been raised towards a goal of US$60,000. 'The circumstances of Kyle's death have introduced unexpected and uniquely challenging obstacles to his family, who must now travel thousands of miles to deal with this horrible tragedy,' the organiser of the fundraiser said. Last week, the family arranged for professional photos to be taken of Whorrall's bedroom in his St Johns flat as a memento. Photographs showed a room crammed with plant life on every surface, a sprawling collection of stuffed animals, US National Park posters and natural artefacts. Display cases of insects filled one corner of the room. Police investigation A 16-year-old boy has been charged with Whorrall's murder and aggravated robbery and a 32-year-old woman has been charged with being an accessory after the fact to murder. Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin said there had been no further arrests or charges in the homicide investigation but search warrants had been executed in the past few days. Police were following 'positive lines of inquiry', he told the Herald. Police had also found the occupants of a silver Mitsubishi Grandis they were seeking last week, saying that they could hold information about why Whorrall was killed. Carole Whorrall said the police had been 'very diligent' in their investigation and 'extraordinarily kind' to the family.
NZ Herald
02-05-2025
- NZ Herald
Kyle Whorrall: Mother honours 'brilliant, gentle' son
'He was passionate about his work and admired greatly by his colleagues and friends of which he had many. 'He was dedicated to making a difference and about to embark on a brilliant career. He was deeply loved and admired by his family.' Kyle Whorrall was studying a doctorate at the University of Auckland. Kyle, who was originally from Los Angeles, was in the last stages of a PhD in entomology at the University of Auckland and was based at Landcare Research in St Johns. On Monday, the Ōrākei Local Board has arranged for a memorial service at St Johns Bush where a pōhutukawa will be planted to honour Kyle. His mother will fly home to California on Monday evening and said the family planned to hold his funeral there. 'There have been a number of memorials here in New Zealand by friends, colleagues and those who never knew him but wished to celebrate his life,' she said. 'We are deeply moved by the kindness and concern of everyone here in New Zealand.' A family friend has set up a crowdfunding page to help the family cover the costs of their travel, the funeral and other expenses. So far, $51,000 has been raised towards a goal of $60,000. 'The circumstances of Kyle's death have introduced unexpected and uniquely challenging obstacles to his family who must now travel thousands of miles to deal with this horrible tragedy,' said the organiser of the fundraiser. Last week, the family arranged for professional photos to be taken of Kyle's bedroom in his St Johns flat as a memento. Photographs showed a room crammed with plant life on every surface, a sprawling collection of stuffed animals, US National Park posters, and natural artefacts. Display cases of insects filled one corner of the room. Kyle Whorrall's bedroom at his flat in St Johns, Auckland. Photo / John Rata Police investigation A 16-year-old boy has been charged with Kyle's murder and aggravated robbery and a 32-year-old woman has been charged with being an accessory after the fact to murder. Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin said there had been no further arrests or charges in the homicide investigation but search warrants had been executed in the past few days. Police were following 'positive lines of inquiry', he told the Herald. Police had also found the occupants of a silver Mitsubishi Grandis they were seeking last week, saying that they could hold information about why Kyle was killed. Carole said the police had been 'very diligent' in their investigation and 'extraordinarily kind' to the family. Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
1News
26-04-2025
- 1News
Police inquiry into killing of Kyle Whorrall seeking a second vehicle
Police investigating the death of US student Kyle Whorrall in Auckland last weekend are appealing for information about a vehicle. American PhD student Whorrall, 33, was attacked at a St Johns bus stop on Saturday night and later died in hospital. Police said the vehicle — a silver 2004 Mitsubishi Grandis, registration GNG652 — was believed to be connected to people detectives would like to speak to. "We believe they have crucial information to share with us about the events surrounding Kyle's tragic death," a statement from police said. In the hours after the attack, police initially sought a black SUV and its occupants which was believed to be at the scene and fled at speed following the assault on Whorrall. Police said the silver Mitsubishi might have travelled to Northland in recent days. Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin today said the occupants should make contact with police as soon as possible. 'These people of interest could have the information we are looking for that will help us understand why Kyle was killed," he said. 'We know they are likely feeling apprehensive about speaking with us, but we are asking them come forward as soon as possible. It is time to do the right thing. "If you have any information about this vehicle or the people involved, we also want to hear from you. "We will be continuing to carry out our enquiries to locate this vehicle and the people with it as a matter of urgency." A 16-year-old youth was remanded in custody on Thursday after being charged with murdering Whorrall. He was also charged with aggravated robbery. A 32-year-old woman also appeared in court on Thursday, charged with being an accessory to murder after the fact. Charging documents alleged she actively suppressed evidence against the murder accused, by selling a vehicle, "in order to enable him to escape... arrest". She was granted interim name suppression and remanded in custody without plea to reappear at the same time as the murder-accused, in the High Court. Police said any information about the silver Mitsubishi could be passed to police online or by calling 105, using the reference number 250419/9858, Operation Aberfeldy. Information could also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Scoop
25-04-2025
- Scoop
Further Appeal
Police are appealing for information about another vehicle in relation to the murder of Kyle Whorrall in St Johns over Easter Weekend. The vehicle, a silver 2004 Mitsubishi Grandis, registration GNG652, is believed to be connected to people Police would like to speak to. We believe they have crucial information to share with us about the events surrounding Kyle's tragic death. The vehicle may have travelled to Northland in recent days. Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin is asking those occupants to make contact with Police as soon as possible. 'These people of interest could have the information we are looking for that will help us understand why Kyle was killed. 'We know they are likely feeling apprehensive about speaking with us, but we are asking them come forward as soon as possible. It is time to do the right thing. 'If you have any information about this vehicle or the people involved, we also want to hear from you. 'We will be continuing to carry out our enquiries to locate this vehicle and the people with it as a matter of urgency.' If you have any information, please contact Police online or call 105 using the reference number 250419/9858, Operation Aberfeldy. Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
