Detective in charge of ‘Baby Ru’ homicide investigation gives update

The death of ‘Baby Ru’ in Lower Hutt occurred over three months ago without any charges being laid so far.

Detective Inspector Nick Pritchard, the officer in charge, revealed new details to state-subsidised legacy media out NZ Herald. He praised the dedication of a full-time team working on the case, sifting through significant information, and awaiting forensic analysis.

Police have not ruled out the death being accidental, noting injuries consistent with blunt force trauma but lacking a definitive cause.

Crucial evidence, including a hard drive with CCTV footage, was removed from the scene, and police have strong evidence regarding who was responsible for tampering with the evidence. Despite conducting numerous search warrants, crucial items are still missing, and three persons of interest have not been ruled in or out, urging them to provide ‘more comprehensive’ accounts of the events.

The investigation faces challenges in corroborating accounts due to inconsistent stories among persons of interest, as ‘strong evidence’ was needed to proceed with charges.

The timeline of Baby Ru’s injuries and the sequence of events leading to his hospitalisation have been partially reconstructed, but mysteries like the purpose of a piece of fabric found around the child’s neck at the hospital remain unresolved.

The police team is committed to achieving justice for Baby Ru, he said. The investigation team continues to review evidence and pursue leads, acknowledging that the case may take time to resolve, said Pritchard.

They have also called for public assistance in locating a specific Nissan Sentra and various electronic devices linked to the disposal of evidence.