Parents of woman murdered holding son in Auckland want to make him 'an honest and loving person'

April 2, 2019

The parents of a woman murdered on the doorstep of her South Auckland home by her ex-partner while cradling their toddler son say they will try to make him the honest, loving person his mother would want him to be.

They've made the statement after Ephraim Beazley was today sentenced to life imprisonment for at least 17 years after pleading guilty to the murder of their daughter Xi Wang on the night of December 10 last year.

Beazley had driven from his home in Rotorua and stabbed Ms Wang multiple times with a hunting knife when she answered the front door of her home in Flat Bush, holding their two-year-old son.

Ms Wang was born and raised in China, and her mother and her best friend travelled from overseas to hear today’s sentencing decision at the High Court in Auckland. 

Afterwards, Ms Wang's parents, Mrs Xi and Mr Wong, released a statement.

"We have lost our daughter, Beazley’s family have lost their son, a big loss for both families," they said.

"My only hope is for my grandson to see him grow up happily and healthy would be the main factor sustaining the rest of my life. 

"We will try our best to make him a person his mother, our daughter would like him to be - an honest and loving person."

Ms Wang's parents thanked the Police, Oranga Tamariki, Victim Support and ACC "for their great help during this difficult time".

"We speak no English and have no relatives in New Zealand, but they made us feel so welcome, they have shown their great love and care to our family, which I have never experienced such love elsewhere," they said.

"I would like to specially thank the Police - their thorough investigation had yielded today’s result.

"Particular thanks goes to the Police family liaison team, they have gone the extra mile to help us. 

"They have kept us posted about the case, even brought us to the supermarket and showed us where to get food. Their care for us was genuine and touched our heart."

Acting Detective Inspector Shaun Vickers of Counties Manukau CIB said the case is a tragic reminder of the devastating impact that family harm has on whanau, pointing out that "a young boy has lost his mother and his father will be spending some time in prison".

"I would like to extend our sympathies to Xi’s family who have lost a much-loved daughter. It is something that no parent should have to go through," Mr Vickers said.

"Nothing can bring Xi back, but we hope the decision brings some comfort to the family," he said.

Mr Vickers also acknowledged the Crown and police investigators "who worked tirelessly on this case, many of whom have families of their own".

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