Man Charged in Triple Homicide of Mother and Two Young Daughters in Hastings

A 36-year-old man has been charged with the murder of three people in Hastings, including a mother and her two young daughters, following a triple homicide at an Avenue Rd East address on Sunday, April 19, 2026.

Hastings police confirmed the charges on Tuesday, April 22, 2026, stating that Detective Inspector Martin James said the man was scheduled to have a bedside hearing in Wellington on the same day. Charge sheets filed in the Hastings District Court allege the man murdered a woman and two children on April 19.

The victims were identified as a mother and her two daughters, aged 3 months and 17 months, who were found with stab wounds at the scene. One child was found dead at the property, while the mother and the older daughter were taken to hospital with critical injuries but later died.

The family of the victims released a statement expressing their devastation, saying they were “heartbroken” and “devastated” by the tragic loss. They described the violence as “senseless” and said they were struggling to come to terms with the loss of their loved ones, who were “deeply loved and will be missed beyond words.”

The family requested privacy as they grieved together and supported one another during what they called an “incredibly difficult time.” They emphasized that the three victims were related and lived together at the Avenue Rd East house.

A man who lived at the property and was understood to be the woman’s partner and the father of the two children was also taken to hospital and underwent surgery on Monday. Police confirmed he was related to the victims and lived at the residence, but are not seeking anyone else in connection with the incident.

Emergency services were called to the property at approximately 6am on Sunday after reports of multiple serious injuries. An investigation, dubbed Operation Train, was launched immediately. Close to 30 police officers have been working on the homicide investigation, with a police tent erected at the scene and a blue hatchback removed from the driveway around 9am on Monday.

A nearby resident said they came to lay flowers after learning the incident involved children, stating it had “really hit home.” A karakia was planned to be conducted on Monday at the scene.

The family confirmed they had no prior involvement with Oranga Tamariki, the Ministry for Children, and that the household was unknown to the agency.