Husband thought stabbed wife would 'rise from dead'

When Derek Kenrick stabbed his wife Janice to death in their Hastings home on December 12, 2001, he believed she would rise from the dead and that he was under the control of Jesus Christ.

Hastings coroner Peter Dennehy this week found Mrs Kenrick died of blood loss from multiple stab wounds.

Mr Kenrick had required mental health care before and after his wife's death. Reports indicated he suffered from delusions and a disease of the mind.

Despite this, health authorities allowed him to return home to his wife on December 11, 2001. Earlier that day he had crashed through a glass door chasing a cat to rid it of demons he believed wanted to harm Mrs Kenrick.

Despite monitoring by family, Mr Kenrick later that night stabbed his wife to death.

Detective Sergeant Dave de Lange, of Hastings CIB, told the inquest into Mrs Kenrick's death she was found dead on the kitchen floor, with a blood-stained butcher's knife at her side.

In an interview Mr Kenrick, who had arm and hand injuries, told police he "stuck a knife through her" three or four times, aiming for the heart.

Mr Kenrick believed his wife had the ability to raise herself from the dead, and his actions were right as he was being controlled by Jesus Christ.

After being arrested and charged with murder, Mr Kenrick was remanded to a psychiatric unit in Porirua for a psychiatric report. He pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.

He stayed at the facility until last March, when his condition improved enough to stand trial.

Last June Mr Kenrick hanged himself at the psychiatric unit.

Hawkes Bay District Health Board chief executive Chris Clarke said last year the decision to allow Mr Kenrick to go home on December 11 was made in consultation with family.

- NZPA