Episode Details

After eight years without answers, the inquest into the tragic death of Benjamin Thomas Hale begins in Hamilton, as his family finally seeks justice for the 2018 incident where he died in the Waikato River during a police chase. Hale, wanted for allegedly breaching a protection order and possibly carrying a firearm, fled into the water and was never rescued despite a massive search involving boats and helicopters. His partner and family, enduring years of pain and lack of transparency, demand accountability and closure. The inquest will examine whether police acted appropriately, the validity of their assumptions about a weapon, and whether their procedures were adequate. A police inspector testified that officers hesitated to approach Hale due to fears of a firearm, and admitted he would have given different orders had he known the assumptions were wrong. The family hopes this process will lead to better support for other grieving families in the future.

Listen in comfort:
Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn.

Advertise on DNN:
advertise@thednn.ai

This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.
Report issues to feedback@thednn.ai.

View sources & latest updates:
https://sources.thednn.ai/418ca5ddc68ed176