Dignity and respect are the drivers of a ceremony in the north Waikato today, as Police work to bring closer to a dark chapter in the district and country’s past.
Western Waikato Area Commander, Inspector Naila Hassan, said Police would today intern the remains of Samuel Pender Lakey alongside his wife, Christobel.
“The couple were murdered at their Ruawaro farm near Huntly in October 1933 and a small number of Samuel’s remains had been part of a back-room Police Museum collection placed in storage following their use for investigative training last century.
“The museum had 37 sets of human remains, the last acquired in 1957. As forensic technology improved and attitudes changed, we as an organisation recognised we faced an ethical challenge in repatriating such materials to the loved ones of those passed.”
Ms Hassan said the Lakeys’ murders sparked an intensive homicide investigation that was ground breaking in terms of forensic science of the time.
“The Crown was able to prove that the couple’s neighbour, William Alfred BAYLEY, murdered the couple and tried to stage things to appear that the deaths were a murder-suicide.
“But his plan was thwarted by neighbours who went to investigate why the couple’s cows hadn’t been milked that morning. They discovered Christobel’s body and it was established she had suffered a heavy blow to her face and her head had been held underwater in the duck pond.”
It would be two days before evidence found by detectives enabled the investigation team to discover Samuel’s fate.
“Human remains and bits of clothing were found in BAYLEY’S garden, bloodstains were found on his sledge and guns missing from the Lakey home were located in a swamp on BAYLEY’S farm.
“This and other evidence helped establish the murderer had shot Samuel Lakey and buned his body in a drum. BAYLEY was convicted for the double murder and hanged at Mt Eden Prison on 20 July 1934.”
Ms Hassan said a particularly sad outcome for the victims was that, as they had no known relatives, Christobel was buried in an unmarked grave in Huntly while what little remains there were of Samuel became part of the Police’s investigative and forensic trainining exhibits collection.
“And there they remained. When forensic advancements meant that the collection was no longer required they were stored as back room exhibits before current NZ Police Museum curator, Rowan Carroll, commenced a three-year-long repatriation project.”
In situations where there were no known descendents the Police erected memorial plaques over the graves. There were three such cases including the Lakeys and a memorial plaque has been erected to mark the couple’s final resting place.
“Today’s repatriation, which is open to the public and being conducted with the wider community, will allow us to place Samuel’s remains alongside his wife’s so together, they can rest in peace.”
End
