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The young son of Joanne Wang, who watched terrified as his mother was run down after her handbag was snatched at a shopping mall, is deeply traumatised and undergoing counselling, his uncle told the Herald on Sunday yesterday.
Speaking for the first time since the tragedy at the Westfield Manukau Shopping Centre last Monday, Joanne's family said the 8-year-old was "badly affected" by what he had seen. "It is a great shock," his aunty, Jane Wong, said.
Joanne's brother Jie Wang, who had flown from San Francisco to visit his sister two days before she was killed, said his nephew - a "bright little boy" - loved his mum.
"He is just so sad and misses his mum a lot."
Jie Wang said his family cannot comprehend the "senseless crime".
"These people clearly do not have one ounce of humanity in their bodies to have done such a terrible, terrible thing ... you wouldn't think this would happen in a civilised society."
Wang said his "baby sister" was a kind, sensitive person who "loved her little boy".
The owner of three Hollywood bakeries around Auckland, she emigrated to New Zealand from China 12 years ago.
"She is very smart and intelligent, well educated and she did a lot of different jobs - translator, bookkeeper and banking," Jie Wang said.
The 39-year-old died in hospital after being mowed down by a four-wheel drive moments after a passenger in the car had stolen her bag.
Yesterday two men appeared in Manukau District Court in connection with her death.
The men, who were charged with accessory after the fact, had their names suppressed.
They were remanded in custody and will reappear in court on July 7.
A similar suppression order was granted to a 19-year-old Otara man who appeared in court on Friday in connection with the case. The officer in charge, Detective Inspector John Tims, said the arrests were a sign the inquiry was moving forward but would not say if police were any closer to finding the main offenders.
A distressed Jane Wong told the Herald on Sunday yesterday she wants laws toughened after her sister-in-law's horrific death.
"Otherwise there will be more victims, no matter how many cops we get."
Jie Wang said he hoped his sister's death would "really make people think. Hopefully some good will come out of it ... to ensure a safer environment for all New Zealanders."
Jane Wong said for now the family was focusing on her nephew.
"He is surrounded by great love from his big family."
