Edwards criminals not related, say families

Phillip Edwards (left) is in jail for manslaughter and Frankie Edwards has admitted a series of rapes. Pictures / Richard Robinson, Kenny Rodger

They have both committed heinous crimes. They both have a string of previous convictions. And they are both called Edwards.

But it seems that Frankie Edwards, a serial rapist, and Phillip Edwards, a killer, are not actually brothers as has been claimed.

Frankie Edwards pleaded guilty on Thursday to a series of sex attacks across Auckland this year.

It is understood that he had told police that Phillip Edwards, the killer of celebrity interior designer David McNee, was his younger brother.

However relatives of both men have disputed any blood link since Frankie Edwards' claim was reported by the Herald and TV3 this week.

"Phillip Edwards is not Frankie's brother," said Paula Edwards, an older sister of Frankie. "He does not know that fulla."

Ms Edwards said Frankie had eight brothers, none of whom were called Phillip, and could not believe that he would have made the claim.

"He has admitted he has done wrong, so why would he say he was related to this guy when he isn't?"

Relatives of Phillip Edwards also said they had never seen or heard of Frankie Edwards.

Frankie Edwards, 30, has 68 previous convictions and is yet to be sentenced after admitting 34 charges relating to the abduction and rape of three women and attacks on three others. Some of the crimes he has admitted to carry sentences of up to 20 years.

Phillip Edwards, 26, had 56 convictions at the time of Mr McNee's death in 2003 and is serving nine years for his manslaughter.