House-sale row turns deadly

Photo / Brett Phibbs

A frenzied attack on a couple that left a man brain-dead - and expected to die - may have been the result of a family feud over the sale of an Auckland property.

Police are hunting Patrick Francis Young, 42, after he allegedly attacked his stepmother, 57, and her brother, 56, when the pair chanced upon him at his late father's home in South Auckland.

It is alleged Young beat Arunee and Aran Jenkanying in a "prolonged and ferocious attack" with a 1.5m piece of wood, similar to a walking stick.

As a result, Aran Jenkanying was declared brain-dead and his family were last night gathering at his bedside to say their goodbyes before his life support was switched off.

"We are treating this as if it's going to be a homicide," said Detective Senior Sergeant David Glossop. "These people took a pretty bad beating."

The attack happened just after 9.30am on Wednesday when the Jenkanyings found Young at the home in Bolton Place, Otara.

Arunee Jenkanying co-owned the property with Young's father, Francis, who is understood to have died last year. It has been vacant since.

It is understood Ms Jenkanying wanted to sell the property but Mr Young's first wife and the children from that marriage wanted to keep it.

A neighbour who witnessed the attack said she desperately wanted to help the Jenkanyings, but was afraid to leave the house.

"I ran to the window when I heard the screaming. She [Ms Jenkanying] was screaming hard out.

"I really wanted to go out and help, but I was too scared and I had my kids with me. The guy was really angry. He was yelling at her, 'Why the eff are you selling my dad's stuff?"'

The neighbour said an argument broke out when the Jenkanyings went to the house and found Young there.

"They drove up the driveway and saw the stepson's car parked around the back of the house. He wasn't living there but I think he was there overnight," she said.

"I saw [Ms Jenkanying's] brother fall to the ground. He tried to get up twice ... He was swaying, he looked like he was drunk. He had a mark on his forehead. He was bleeding. I saw him wipe his head and I think that's when he realised he was bleeding.

"By that time, the lady was lying on the driveway. The guy was hitting her. He was swearing at her and screaming at her. He was yelling, 'Go away and never come back'. He was angry. He kept hitting her, kicking her."

Young left the property in his car, a white 1997 Toyota Corolla, registration WE4873.

Mr Glossop confirmed there had been a long-running family dispute over the property, but did not want to speculate about what sparked the beating.

He said Young was likely to be in South Auckland, but could have gone further afield.

"We are hoping he will see in the media that we want to speak to him. It's a case of when, not if," Mr Glossop said. "It is in his best interests to come forward and tell us what happened.

"It's not fair for him to put his family and friends through this. He has got to take responsibility for his actions."

Detectives have a stick they believe was used in the assault, but are still looking for other possible weapons.

Mr Glossop said police were concerned enough about Young to warn people not to approach him. They should call the police if they spotted him.

He said Young was "well known" to the police and anyone who sheltered him, knowing he was being sought, was committing an offence.

"We will treat that seriously."

* Anyone with information about Young is urged to contact Otara police on (09) 272-0926 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555-111.