“THE HALF-BURNED NOTE”: The half-burned letter found next to Dean Field’s b.0.d.y read: “I didn’t want it to end like this…” but the rest was burned away with a chemical not found in the house. His wife speaks out as their final argument over Goldie, Hugo and August is revealed

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Watch: Police discuss murder-suicide of three children and father in Sanson fire

Warning: This story discusses suicide.

Death of children and father at house fire being treated as murder suicide, RNZ understands (2 min 30 sec)

Police have recovered the body of the third child who died in a house fire in the Manawatū town of Sanson.

Four people died at the house – a father and his three children. RNZ understands the deaths were being investigated as a murder-suicide.

The police said of the four people who died at the scene of the fire, three were burned – and one was not.

It’s understood the father’s name is Dean Field, and the children have been named on Givealittle as August, Hugo and Goldie, aged 7, 5 and 1.

Manawatu Area Commander Inspector Ross Grantham says he cannot confirm their names, because formal identification is still underway.

Grantham says the police are yet to rule it a homicide.

He said Dean Field was not killed by the fire but would could not say if he was dead when firefighters arrived at the house.

The body of the third child had been recovered on Monday morning, Grantham said, by investigators supported by a forensic pathologist.

The children’s family were present as the child was taken from the scene, he said.

The family of the children would need support as they dealt with the “unimaginable” horror and heartache, Grantham said.

“It’d be great if we can all support them, just give them some space to grow and get through it”

Grantham, said it was understood a witness driving past the house had probably seen the fire and called the fire service.

The Givealittle page for the mother of the children had since raised more than $160,000 as she dealt with the “unimaginable loss”.

“They were the light and love of her life, and her entire world has been shattered,” the Givealittle page said.

“In the midst of this unimaginable grief, she also lost her home and everything she owned. She is facing the hardest journey possible, stripped of her physical security, while navigating the deepest emotional pain.”

The bodies of two children were recovered on Sunday night and were blessed by the family with karakia.

The body of the adult was removed earlier. Manawatu Area Commander Inspector Ross Grantham confirmed to Morning Report it was the children’s father, which RNZ understood was Dean Field.

He said it was too early to tell yet if the fire was deliberately started.

“It’s pretty risky with the part of the structure still there and the the dust that’s generated from the fire, so it will take us some time just to go through and establish what’s happened.”

Grantham said police were not seeking information from the public at this stage, but if anyone knew anything, they could “reach out”.

He said it was “unusual” for a house fire to begin in the afternoon.

Police would remain at the property for “as long as it takes”, Grantham said.

Where to get help:

Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason.
Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357.
Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO. This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.
Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 or text 4202.
Samaritans: 0800 726 666.
Youthline: 0800 376 633 or text 234 or email [email protected].
What’s Up: 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787. This is free counselling for 5 to 19-year-olds.
Asian Family Services: 0800 862 342 or text 832. Languages spoken: Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, and English.
Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254.
Healthline: 0800 611 116.
Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155.
OUTLine: 0800 688 5463.