Arrest in Whanganui triplet murder case

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TRIPLETS: Hinekawa Topia, who died after sustaining non-accidental head injuries, with her sisters. It is unclear which of the three is Hinekawa.

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A man charged with the murder of a two-month-old Whanganui triplet has been granted interim name suppression.

The 29-year-old man appeared in the Whanganui District Court today charged with the murder of Hinekawa Topia in January.

Judge Dugald Matheson remanded him in custody to reappear in court on September 13.

Hinekawa was driven by her parents to Wanganui Hospital on January 12. She was not breathing and attempts to resuscitate her were unsuccessful.

Police were contacted by the hospital and launched a homicide inquiry the next day.

They said an autopsy found Hinekawa suffered a head injury which was considered non-accidental.

Detective Senior Sergeant Neil Forlong said up to 20 officers had worked on the case at the height of the inquiry.

‘‘A small team of staff have worked tirelessly on the inquiry and recently medical information came to hand that has ultimately resulted in this arrest.’’

Hinekawa’s sibling triplets were placed in the care of Child, Youth and Family.

- © Fairfax NZ News