Latest news with #HillmortonHospital
RNZ News
18-06-2025
- RNZ News
Daughter of woman murdered by mental health patient backs calls for independent inquiry
Elliot Cameron was jailed last week for life with a minimum term of 10 years' imprisonment for murdering Faye Phelps. Photo: Pool/ NZME / George Heard The decision to call a non-emergency line to notify police about a mental health patient's admission that he had attacked a woman with an axe is forming part of a review into the double-killer's care. It comes as the daughter of Faye Phelps backs calls for an independent inquiry into the mental health system. The 83-year-old was murdered by elderly mental health patient Elliot Cameron in October last year. A suppression order was lifted on Monday, allowing RNZ to report Cameron killed his brother Jeffrey Cameron in 1975. A jury found him not guilty of murder by reason of insanity and detained as a special patient. At sentencing it was revealed that Cameron separately told two nurses at Hillmorton Hospital about 4pm on the day he killed Phelps that he had assaulted a woman on the corner of Mt Pleasant Road and Belleview Avenue with an axe and to call police. Hillmorton Hospital in Christchurch. Photo: RNZ / Logan Church The nurses reported his comments to police communications at 4.36pm, but this was not taken further as a result of a number of factors. On Tuesday police confirmed the initial call to police came via the non-emergency 105 number. The address was the corner of Mount Pleasant Rd and Bellview Avenue. This was incorrect as the actual address was Belleview Terrace. Police said given the limited information available at the time the job was not coded as serious or a grievous assault, resulting in a unit not immediately being dispatched. At 10:43pm, another Hillmorton staffer called police and left a message to say Cameron had since told them he made up the claim of assaulting someone. Police acknowledged the job should have been coded a serious or grievous assault, however they believed it would not have changed the outcome of the "terrible tragedy". A review of the case had resulted in the introduction of training for Emergency Communicator and Dispatch staff to assist with the decision-making process when coding events as they occur. Faye Phelps Photo: Supplied Karen Phelps told RNZ she was astounded by the hospital's response, given Cameron's "constant threats" he would kill someone. "I find that unbelievable. To me that is a high-alert situation that should have been taken much, much more seriously. What if Mum had been alive still and could have been saved? That wasn't the case as it turns out but the DHB didn't know that," she said. "At the very least in Mum's case it could have prevented a member of the public who knew her discovering her body and carrying that trauma for the rest of their lives. Why did the DHB not question Elliot more that day as to where he had been and ask him for an address and contact details so they could check Mum was okay? The DHB's processes are beyond appalling." In relation to the wrong street address supplied, Phelps said if someone had used Google Maps and looked at Mt Pleasant Rd she believes they would have found Belleview Terrace. A Health New Zealand spokesperson told RNZ they were unable to comment specifically on the case. "However, as general comment there are various circumstances in which we would contact police. How we do this is based on the information available to staff at the time. "We can confirm however, that the response following notification is part of the review." A spokesperson for Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey said it would be his expectation that the review would cover all aspects, including the call to police. A coroner's court spokesperson has also confirmed an inquiry has been opened into Phelps' death. Ruth Money Photo: RNZ / Niva Chittock RNZ earlier revealed another case involving a man who has twice been found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity for two separate killings . After that article, chief victims advisor Ruth Money called for a Royal Commission of Inquiry into forensic mental health facilities . On Monday evening, Money said she stood by her recommendation. "Now four weeks on, we learn of another patient who has warned of his intent and distress numerous times and yet he too has gone on to kill for a second time. "The public deserves an inquiry that can give actionable expert recommendations, as opposed to multiple coroners' inquests and recommendations that do not have the same binding influence. The patients themselves, and the public will be best served by an independent inquiry, not another internal review that changes nothing." Phelps backed Money's calls for an independent inquiry. "The experience of our family certainly indicates that there are obvious and big problems and nothing is changing and internal reviews seem to never be completed and results released to the public. There is a distinct lack of accountability. "I would like to see faults identified and real change made. It's the only good thing that can now come out of my mother's death and I can't stand by and not try to do anything when I know the public and mental health patients are at risk and we are just waiting for the next unfortunate death to occur."
RNZ News
16-06-2025
- RNZ News
Murdered woman's body not found for three days after police call wrongly coded
Frances Anne Phelps - known as Faye - with her late husband Bill. Photo: Supplied A murdered woman's body was not found for three days after the emergency call to police was given the wrong code. Elliot Cameron was jailed for life with a minimum non-parole period of 10 years at the High Court at Christchurch last week for murdering 83-year-old Frances Anne Phelps - known as Faye - on 4 October last year. On Monday, a suppression order was lifted revealing he killed his brother in 1975 and was detained as a special patient after being found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity. Police now say an initial call about the attack on Phelps, via 105 at 4:36pm on 4 October, stated Cameron had disclosed to a nurse at Hillmorton Hospital that he assaulted a woman with an axe on the corner of Mount Pleasant and Bellview Avenue. "Given the limited information available at the time, the job was not coded as a serious or grievous assault, resulting in a unit not immediately being dispatched," the statement said. Elliot Alfred James Cameron at sentencing in the High Court at Christchurch on 10 June 2025. Photo: Pool/ NZME / George Heard Six hours later, at 10.43pm, another Hillmorton staff member called police and left a message saying Cameron since told them he made up the claim of assaulting someone. "Police acknowledge that the job should have been coded as a serious or grievous assault, however we believe it would not have changed the outcome of this terrible tragedy." They said they have since introduced training for emergency communications and dispatch staff. The calls to police were revealed at sentencing . The court was told Phelps' lawnmower man found her dead lying on the steps beside the garage door on 7 October and called emergency services. The court summary of facts said Phelps would have died very soon after the injuries were inflicted, if not immediately. RNZ exclusively obtained emails from Cameron to his cousin Alan Cameron sent over more than a decade , detailing his concerns that he might kill again. In his 60s, having spent most of his life as a mental health in-patient, had emailed his cousin Alan about why he needed to remain in hospital. "The probability of me repeating the offence outside hospital is greater than the probability of me repeating the offence where I am and so disrupting society is less when I remain in hospital," he wrote. "I am correctly placed in a mental hospital. I should remain where I am." Following the revelations, Chief Victims Advisor Ruth Money said it was hard to see Phelps' death as "anything other than preventable". The public deserves an inquiry into the forensic mental health system, Money said. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
11-06-2025
- RNZ News
Police did not check on axe attack report due to 'little information and an inaccurate address '
Elliot Cameron at his sentencing for the murder of Faye Phelps. Photo: Pool/ NZME / George Heard Christchurch police did not send officers to check a report from Hillmorton Hospital nurses that a mental health patient had attacked a woman with an axe because they say they were provided with little other information and an inaccurate address. Elliot Cameron was jailed for life with a minimum non-parole period of 10 years at the High Court at Christchurch on Tuesday for murdering 83-year-old Frances Anne Phelps - known as Faye - on 4 October last year. At sentencing it was revealed that Cameron told two separate nurses at Hillmorton Hospital about 4pm on the day he killed Phelps that he had assaulted a woman on the corner of Mt Pleasant Road and Belleview Avenue with an axe and to call police. The nurses reported his comments to police communications at 4.36pm, but this was not taken further as a result of a number of factors. About 4.55pm on 7 October, Phelps' lawnmower man found her dead lying on the steps beside the garage door. He called emergency services. In a statement to RNZ, police said they were notified of the reported assault about six hours after it had taken place. "With little other information and an inaccurate address provided, a unit was not dispatched. The event was held open in the case police received any further information, which did not occur," police said. "Three days later, police received a call after the victim was located deceased at her home." Police said they had identified "learnings" following a review of the case. "Training to enhance offence identification is currently being undertaken by all emergency communication and dispatch staff, however, police believe this may not have changed the outcome of our response," they said. "We would also like to acknowledge the strength and courage shown from the family of Frances Phelps during the last eight months. "Though it won't bring Frances back, we hope the sentencing can give the family some closure." The court summary of facts said Phelps would have died very soon after the injuries were inflicted, if not immediately. Health New Zealand deputy chief executive Te Waipounamu Martin Keogh released a statement after Cameron's sentencing. "We extend our heartfelt condolences to this family for their loss, and recognise the deep impact this death has had, and continues to have, on loved ones," he said. "We have taken this tragic event extremely seriously and a full external review is progressing." Health NZ had been in touch with Phelps' family and were keeping them updated on its review, Keogh said. "Once the review is completed, it will be shared with the family and the coroner. I am unable to provide further comment while our review is ongoing and the coroner's inquest is yet to be completed." On 4 October, Cameron left the hospital at 8.50am after breakfast. He walked to the bus stop on Annex Road and caught the bus to Mt Pleasant, getting off at the stop directly opposite Phelps' driveway at 10.07am. Cameron met Phelps at the garage door that Phelps had opened. From inside the garage Cameron retrieved a small axe that he had previously used in the garden. He then struck Phelps in the head multiple times, causing fatal injuries. He left her and walked to the bus stop, catching a bus back to Annex Road. He arrived back at the hospital at 12.17pm. About 1.30pm a hospital staff member suggested to Cameron that a box of bike parts could be removed from his room in response to which he threatened to "kick her head in". About 4.45pm on 7 October Faye's lawnmower man Aaron had finished working next door and was pushing his lawnmower up her driveway while carrying the rest of his gear. He had his headphones on under his earmuffs when he looked up and saw something on the ground. When he took a closer look, he realised it was Faye. "I just started throwing things off and calling out. I thought she had an accident. I thought she just fell over and smashed her head or something," he said. "I knew she was dead and I knew that she'd been passed away for a long time... I was just trying to think of the right thing to do. I was just trying to grab my phone... and I was just shaking and trying to dial the number, and I was sort of walking around circles and calling out." Emergency services arrived shortly after. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
10-06-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
Community should have been told Elliot Cameron was mental health patient, says cousin
Faye (Frances Anne) Phelps and her late husband Bill. Photo: Supplied A cousin of an elderly mental health patient who murdered a pensioner at her Christchurch home believes more could have been done to ensure the man was supported in the community. Elliot Cameron killed 83-year-old Frances Anne Phelps, known as Faye, in October 4 last year. He was sentenced to life in jail He had made threats to kill over the last decade if required to leave Hillmorton Hospital, where he had been living for many years. RNZ earlier revealed Phelps and other residents who had the 76-year-old do their gardens on Mt Pleasant for about a decade, did not know he was a mental health patient who had been living at Hillmorton Hospital. Alan Cameron told RNZ he was "certain" his cousin would have expressed his "own vulnerability and risk of harm to the public" to staff at Hillmorton. "I don't want to be seen to be part of a campaign to vilify Hillmorton as a whole - because there were people there who genuinely cared for Elliot and other residents. "It's about holding the authorities to account for what they could reasonably have been expected to have done in response to Elliot's concerns… even given all the demands of managing this institution." Photo: Pool/ NZME / George Heard Looking back, he believes more could've been done, in particular to make the family feel more encouraged to be involved and support Elliot. "Just shoving people out into the community isn't good enough without ensuring that there are supports… I made it quite clear that I was prepared to be involved in supporting earlier. I feel if more could have been done it might well have made a difference. "To protect his privacy they won't involve the family, but he wanted my involvement." He acknowledges the difficulties around informing people that someone is a mental health patient, and the risk that Elliot might have lost his gardening work. But, he said, people should have been informed so they could take precautions if necessary. "You can't then put it all on him when something's happening to him that affects his mental state, given his institutionalization. He's quite vulnerable in many ways, even though he did as much as he could to keep himself informed and be independent. "It would have also put others on alert to observe him and to keep a note. I'm not saying it's easy for the institution, but I just think that maybe it's a general societal thing as well, people's attitude towards those with mental disabilities." Eight months on from her mother's death, Karen Phelps is still searching for answers. She wants to know whether Elliot Cameron was getting adequate support and whether gaps in this support put the public at risk. An independent review into what happened is under way. She earlier told RNZ she was shocked when she was told by police that Cameron had been living at Hillmorton Hospital and that her family, and others who also employed him, were not told. Three years ago, in June 2022, Hillmorton Hospital forensic mental health patient Zakariye Mohamed Hussein stabbed Laisa Waka Tunidau to death as she walked home from work. Hussein was on community leave at the time of the killing. RNZ earlier revealed another case involving a man who was made a special patient under the Mental Health Act after his first killing was recently found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity for a second time, after killing someone he believed was possessed. Karen Phelps says the mental health system is "beyond broken". "All the DHB seems to be able to respond with time and time again in cases such as that of my mother is that there are specific processes to be followed and that reviews into what went wrong are being undertaken that take many years to complete if they ever eventuate at all." She believes the public is at high risk. "Our family never thought in a million years something like this would happen. The reality is it could be any member of the public next. "There are unwell people in the community not getting the help and support they need all over the country. It's appalling and sad - for the person needing help, the people they harm as a result and the many people tragedies like this touch and traumatise for the rest of their lives." She believes Elliot should remain in a secure facility for the rest of his life. "Where he gets the help and support he wanted all along and for him to never be able to interact with the public again to keep both himself and the public safe. "Public safety must come first and should always have come first. Sadly, it wasn't prioritsed by the DHB and the result is what happened to my mum." Health New Zealand deputy chief executive Te Waipounamu Martin Keogh earlier told RNZ an independent review was underway. Elliot Cameron was sentenced in the High Court at Christchurch on Tuesday by Justice Rachel Dunningham for life imprisonment, with a minimum period of 10 years.
RNZ News
10-06-2025
- RNZ News
Hillmorton patient Elliot Cameron sentenced to life in jail over murder of Frances Phelps
Elliot Cameron appears in the High Court in Christchurch this morning for sentencing for murder. Photo: Pool/ NZME / George Heard An elderly mental health patient who murdered a pensioner at her Christchurch home says he's "extremely sorry that I've done what I did", but does not recall doing it. It can now be revealed he had made threats to kill over the last decade if required to leave Hillmorton Hospital. Elliot Cameron was sentenced in the High Court at Christchurch on Tuesday by Justice Rachel Dunningham for life imprisonment, with a minimum period of 10 years for murdering 83-year-old Frances Anne Phelps, known as Faye, in October 4 last year. RNZ earlier revealed that Phelps and other residents who had the 76-year-old do their gardens on Mt Pleasant for about a decade, did not know he was a mental health patient who had been living at Hillmorton Hospital for many years. Before sentencing began Cameron told Justice Dunningham he "didn't intend doing that, I just don't know what happened". "I'm very, very sorry and Karen Phelps the daughter of Faye Phelps said what I did was very out of character and that is true I think." At sentencing the summary of facts detailing what Cameron did was released for the first time. The summary said Cameron had been the gardener for Phelps' neighbour for over 10 years. After her husband died in 2022, Cameron continued to help with Phelps' garden on a casual basis. Cameron first came to the attention of Mental Health Services in 1968 after a brain injury thought to have arisen following surgery as a teenager. His special patient status ended many years ago, however he remained residing at Hillmorton Hospital. As at 2024, there were no court orders or other legal requirements compelling him to remain nor was he under treatment. Accordingly, there was no lawful impediment to Cameron leaving and living elsewhere. He resided within the mental health system since 1975. Since 2016, Cameron had been a voluntary patient, chosen not to self-discharge, and basically refused to leave Hillmorton Hospital despite efforts made to move him. Because of his voluntary status, he was free to come and go from the hospital most days using public transport and riding his bike. There had been discussion about him moving. However, over the last decade Cameron had made threats to kill if required to leave Hillmorton Hospital. In December 2022, he told nursing staff he would be "hard to ignore if he was chopping up bodies" and continued threats over the next couple of months to kill people if discharged from hospital. In July 2024 he threatened "disastrous measures" if he was discharged. On September 30, 2024 Cameron was doing gardening work for Phelps' neighbour. He called in at her house and asked whether she would like any gardening done. Over the next week Phelps and the defendant exchanged emails, and it was arranged he would come that Friday. During this time, Hillmorton Hospital staff were assisting him to reduce some of his belongings that he had accumulated at the hospital. Hospital notes recorded he was anxious regarding his immediate future. On October 4, 2024 Cameron left the hospital at 8.50am after breakfast. He walked to the bus stop on Annex Rd and caught the bus to Mt Pleasant getting off at the stop directly opposite Phelps' driveway at 10.07am. Cameron met Phelps at the garage door which Phelps had opened. From inside the garage Cameron retrieved a small axe that he had previously used in the garden. He then struck Phelps in the head with an axe multiple times, causing fatal injuries. He then left her and walked to the bus stop and caught a bus back to Annex Rd. He arrived back at the hospital at 12.17pm. About 1.30pm a hospital staff member suggested to Cameron that a box of bike parts could be removed from his room in response to which he threatened to "kick her head in". About 4pm, he disclosed to two separate nurses that between 10am and 10.30am he had assaulted a woman on the corner of Mt Pleasant and Bellview Ave with an axe and to call police. The nurses reported his comments to police communications at 4.36pm, however due to a number of factors this was not taken further. About 4.55pm on 7 October, Phelps' lawnmower man found her dead lying on the steps beside the garage door. He called emergency services. When spoken to by police, Cameron said he went to Phelps' home as he occasionally did. He said that when he arrived, he saw she had been injured and left the property as he didn't want to be blamed for the injuries. Photo: Pool/ NZME / George Heard Phelps' daughter Karen Phelps wrote a victim impact statement for sentencing. She was not in court, but gave a copy of her statement to RNZ. "The effect on our family of losing Faye in such a violent and sudden way has been indescribably traumatic," she said. Her mother was a "kind and generous soul" who was loved and treasured by all who met her. "It seems unfathomable that she would suffer such an awful death. It still feels surreal and is hard to get my head around what's happened. "You read about things like this in the newspaper but you never think it will happen to your family. I was really close to my mum. She wasn't just my mother; she was also my friend. It's incredibly painful that I will never see her again." Karen Phelps said counselling had been "helpful," but there were still a lot of emotions and it would take a long time to process what had happened. "I'm haunted by visions of the way she died, her lying alone for days before she was discovered and all the aftermath I have had to deal with. At times I've had trouble eating and functioning on even a basic level. "I've had to take time off work and it's made me hesitant to socialise as wherever I go somebody will say something about what's happened to Mum. My life will never be the same again." She said her family "trusted" Cameron, and had known him for over a decade. "It is particularly astounding he was allowed to do gardening for an elderly woman widower. Mum's death is a tragedy for us but also for Elliot and his family," she said. "The greatest tragedy is that I believe mum's death was preventable if Elliot had received the care he wanted and needed." She believed Cameron needed to be held in a secure facility for the rest of his life, so he could get the support he needed to keep both him and the public safe. "No matter what his age, he could be a threat. It would certainly make me feel anxious if he was ever out in the public again as it would others in the community." Faye (Frances Anne) Phelps and her late husband Bill. Photo: Supplied She ended her statement by saying Faye Phelps was a "fit 83-year-old" who "had a lot of life to live". "She was an introvert, happy to mainly be at home, which is why it is ironic that her death has been so public. Mum would have hated all the attention. "I'd like her to be remembered as a giving, kind hearted, compassionate Christian woman who always thought of others before herself. She had a strong inner character. I learned a lot from her and really admired her as did so many others. I will miss her forever but I am eternally grateful that she was my mum." Crown prosecutor Barnaby Hawes said a life sentence should be imposed. He said there were aggravating factors including Phelps' particular vulnerability such as her age and she was living alone. Cameron was known to her and the attack would've been "entirely completely unexpected". There was a use of a weapon and that was picked up by Cameron at the property itself. The matter of premeditation given some comments made which indicated a degree of contemplation that something was going to happen. An appropriate minimum term of imprisonment was 12 to 13 years with a discount for his guilty plea. Cameron's lawyer, Craig Ruane said he acknowledged a sentence of life imprisonment was appropriate and a minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years was appropriate. He submitted that there was no suggestion he put previous threats into effect in the past. It appeared to be a "spontaneous act". He had a "long history of mental illness". Justice Rachel Dunningham said Cameron suffered from a "persistent personality disturbance". Reports noted there was no treatment for his condition. He also had a "high-level of intellectual functioning", with an above average intelligence. She said there was "some inconsistency" of what he recollected. She said he had not shown any level of remorse for his actions, until just before sentencing. His apology was "too little too late," Justice Dunningham said. "You knowingly killed a vulnerable woman without any provocation from her. You've shown no real remorse for doing so." Any sympathy regarding his brain injury was offset by the "clear danger" he posed to the community. She said there were several aggravating factors including that Phelps lived alone and did nothing to provoke the attack. Karen Phelps earlier told RNZ she was shocked when she was told by police that Cameron had been living at Hillmorton Hospital and that her family, and others who also employed him, were not told. She understood the need for privacy, but did not think it was appropriate for him to be out in the public in an unmonitored way doing gardening. She wants an inquiry into her mother's death and wants to know if Cameron was getting adequate support for his mental health and whether gaps in his support put the public at risk. Three years ago, in June 2022, Hillmorton Hospital forensic mental health patient Zakariye Mohamed Hussein stabbed Laisa Waka Tunidau to death as she walked home from work. Hussein was on community leave at the time of the killing. RNZ earlier revealed another case involving a man who was made a special patient under the Mental Health Act after his first killing was recently found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity for a second time, after killing someone he believed was possessed. Health New Zealand deputy chief executive Te Waipounamu Martin Keogh earlier told RNZ an independent review was underway. The findings and recommendations would be shared with the family, Keogh said. "We acknowledge that this has taken longer than the family, or we, would like and apologise for this. While we endeavour to keep within our estimated timeframe, sometimes complex cases need more time to allow a thorough and robust review to be conducted, particularly when it sits with an independent panel. "To keep the family informed of the review timing, we provided an update through their police liaison. We continue to provide further updates, information, or answer any question they may have, through the police liaison as needed."
