A Gisborne man has been charged with murder after a fatal brawl at a 21st birthday party left two dead in March this year.
New charges for two men earlier arrested over the deaths were revealed by police today, nearly two months after the homicide investgiation was first launched.
The 21-year-old celebrating his birthday, Chrysler Stevens-Mark, and his cousin Kane Wiremu Te Paa, 30, died amid an altercation on Gisborne's Lytton Rd on March 23.
Detective Inspector David de Lange said the investigation, Operation Middlepark, had been a "complex" one for investigators, with help provided from other police districts.
"Two men who have already been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm now face additional charges," he said in a media release.
"A 29-year-old Gisborne man has now been charged with two counts of murder.
"The man has also been charged with two counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm relating to two other men at the party."
Three others were taken to Gisborne Hospital, which was put in lockdown as police worked to quell the ongoing tension. (Source: 1News)
He was jointly charged with his associate, a Gisborne man, de Lange said.
"The 26-year-old Gisborne man has been charged with four counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm relating to the four men assaulted at the Lytton Road party, including the two deceased."
The new charges have been laid in the Gisborne Registry with details of court appearances are to be confirmed.
De Lange said: "Police liaison officers continue to support the whānau of the deceased and the victims recovering from their injuries.
"This has a very complex investigation, and our investigation team members have worked hard to get answers for the grieving whānau and friends, and the wider community.
Gisborne doctor Jed Hocart-Saunders told Breakfast the community is both worried and on edge about being used for "political point scoring". (Source: Breakfast)
"We are appreciative of the assistance we’ve received from our colleagues in other police districts as the investigation has progressed, and for assistance provided by people who were at the birthday party and who came forward with information."
In March, Tairāwhiti police acting inspector Darren Paki said that deaths were a tragedy.
"What should have been a happy occasion for this family, fuelled by alcohol, has turned into an ugly and an awful tragedy for the people involved," he told media.
At the time, he said the large number of people involved meant it would "take time to piece together the details of what happened".
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