A Hutt Valley man who died after a spate of arsons targeting the block of flats where he lived should have been safe in his home, police say.
By Bill Hickman of RNZ
Ian David Moller, 82, was critically injured when the flats in Stokes Valley's Hanson Grove were set alight in the early hours of November 5, 2024.
He died four days later.
The fire was one of three arson attacks on the block of flats where Moller lived in just under a month.
This week, two men – a 41-year-old from Naenae and a 34-year-old from Stokes Valley – were found not guilty of his murder but guilty of manslaughter and arson.
A third man was found not guilty of murder, manslaughter, and arson.
Following the fire Moller's niece, Denise Harrison, told RNZ the family was were "heartbroken" Moller had died in such tragic circumstances.
"He was a very quiet man who went to church and spent time with his friends and he was never a bother to anybody.
"So to have his life ended so tragically is just completely heartbreaking for all of us," Harrison said.
Detective Senior Sergeant Martin Todd said Moller was asleep in his bed at the time of the fatal blaze.
"I acknowledge Mr Moller's family and the strength they have shown during this difficult time and hope these verdicts bring them some relief as they continue to process the untimely and unnecessary death of Mr Moller," Todd said.
"Mr Moller was a retired man who should have been safe in his own home, and yesterday's verdicts are a result of the investigation team's tenacity and meticulous work to hold the men accountable."
Todd said the case had been complex and thanked members of the community for their support, testimony and the CCTV supplied by homes and businesses in the area.
The two men convicted had been remanded in custody and were due to be sentenced in November.
A 24-year-old from South Wairarapa pleaded guilty in relation to two earlier fires at the same property and would be sentenced in December.
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