CHCH earthquake Inquest announced

Media statement sent on behalf of the Chief Coroner, Judge Neil MacLean. 4 May

The Chief Coroner, Judge Neil MacLean, has announced that a joint Inquest into the nine victims of the Christchurch earthquake still to be identified will be held at Riccarton Park racecourse from May 16 - 18.

He may also begin to hear evidence on some of the identified victims if time permits during these dates.

Judge MacLean paid tribute to the DVI team and said he wants to ensure the families of the remaining victims can complete formalities sooner rather than later.

“The DVI team has done a remarkable job in getting this far and identifying more than 95 percent of the victims.

“Now we’ve come to a point where some families are facing a worst case scenario where no trace will be found of their loved ones so we need to find a way forward for them.

“I aim to hear the best circumstantial evidence available to try and to get to the point where the deaths can be registered and Death Certificates obtained.

“This is not necessarily the end of the process and I can still consider any new information that may come to light, “Judge MacLean said.

The Chief Coroner has met with families and their representatives to explain the process under NZ law and reassure them that they will be fully consulted before he releases the final remains.

“It will be some time before any decision is made on what will happen to the remains. That is a decision for other parties, including families, Government and the community. I just have to be satisfied that there is no good reason to retain control of the remains and that they are being releasing in accordance with the wishes of families,” Judge MacLean said.

Judge MacLean says planning and consultation with families on the shape of further Inquests is ongoing and final decisions are yet to be reached.

The names of the unidentified victims are:

Matthew Lyle BEAUMONT, age 31 (male), of Christchurch Jinyan LENG, age 30 (female) of China Shawn LUCAS, age 40 (male), of Christchurch Rhea Mae SUMALPONG, age 25, (female), of the Philippines Elsa TORRES DE FROOD, 53 (female), of Peru (NZ Resident) Valeri VOLNOV, age 41 (male) of Russia (NZ Resident) Xiujuan XU, age 47 (female), of China Didi ZHANG, age 23 (female) of China. Xiaoli ZHOU, age 26 (female), of China

The current earthquake toll is 181 victims, including 166 who were identified through the DVI process, the nine who remain unidentified and six who were visually identified at Christchurch Hospital.

A further four deaths which may have been earthquake related have also been reported to the coroner.

The current victim location breakdown is as follows but final confirmation will be heard through the Inquest process:

CTV building – 116
PGC building – 18
Buses – 7
Other CBD locations – 29
Other locations (incl. Bromley, Dallington, Linwood, Lyttelton, Redcliffs, Riccarton and Sumner) – 11.

ENDS

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