Detective Inspector Scott Beard spoke to the media about the investigation into a deadly stabbing in Epsom, Auckland. Video / George Heard
A man who stabbed his parents to death and tried to kill a family friend because he was hearing voices had no contact with any mental health agencies before the incident.
Coroner Erin Woolley determined there was no need for an inquest into the deaths of Herman and Elizabeth Bangerain their Auckland home in March 2021 because there was no suggestion anything could have been done to prevent the offending.
In March last year, Sheal Bangera’s plea was accepted in the High Court at Auckland.
On March 22, 2021, police descended on an Epsom home where Herman and Elizabeth Bangera were fatally stabbed. Photo / George Heard
Justice Sally Fitzgerald said she was satisfied, on the basis of expert evidence, that Sheal was insane at the time of the offending.
She said the expert presented to the court outlined that he had been diagnosed with schizophrenia “following” the offending and that he was suffering from overwhelming psychotic symptoms at the time of the fatal stabbings.
In June Justice Neil Campbell made an order detaining Sheal Bangera in a forensic psychiatric facility as a special patient.
As per New Zealand law, the killer will now remain in the facility until the Minister of Health or the national director of Mental Health deems he is no longer a risk - a period that potentially could be longer than a prison sentence had he been found guilty.
In court, Justice Campbell explained that he was satisfied this order was necessary to achieve Sheal’s rehabilitation and reintegration into the community.
Further, he said there was a clear risk that he might experience a schizophrenic relapse, and there was a demonstrated nexus between his mental illness and his violent offending.
The court had earlier heard that at the time of the killings, Sheal was hearing “Satan’s voice” telling him that “love existed” but “God’s voice told him it did not.”
Herman Bangera (left), Sheal Bangera and Elizabeth Bangera (right) at Sheal Bangera's graduation in 2014. Photo / Supplied
Photo/supplied
He believed the family friend was the “materialisation of Satan” and was controlling his parents.
“He said he felt compelled to kill himself to prove that love existed,” a psychologist reported.
“He expressed a belief that the events of that morning were being monitored or broadcast.”
Since the case was disposed of in court Coroner Woolley has been considering whether an inquest was needed.
Inquests are held so Coroners can assess whether any recommendations need to be made that could prevent the occurrence of similar deaths in the future.
Coroner Woolley said that give Sheal Bangera had not engaged with mental health services before the incident an inquest was not needed.
“Both of the expert reports provided to the High Court to assist with the issue of insanity and disposition outline that Sheal did not have any previous contact with mental health services prior to the offending, not had he committed any other criminal offending,” she said in a ruling provided to the Herald.
“I have had regard to police documentation, the decisions of Fitzgerald J and Campbell J and the expert reports provided to the High Court at Auckland about Sheal’s mental state.
“I am satisfied that the matters… have been adequately established in the course of the relevant criminal proceedings and investigation.
