KEY POINTS:
The family of a man allegedly burned alive by his neighbour are angered that health authorities have admitted fault for releasing the psychiatric patient charged with his murder - but have not apologised.
Matthew Ahlquist has been charged with the murder of Colin Edward Moyle, 55. Police allege Ahlquist bludgeoned Moyle with a spade and set him alight on the lawn of Moyle's Auckland home last year.
The Herald on Sunday later revealed Ahlquist was released from the psychiatric unit just months before allegedly killing Moyle, even though health authorities were warned repeatedly that he was a danger to society.
Last week a scathing external report was released slamming the mental health services at the Auckland District Health Board after a series of patient deaths and Moyle's alleged murder.
In Ahlquist's case, the report found that staff:
Failed to heed his threat to kill.
Failed to contain him after he assaulted his elderly parents.
Discharged him with no clear follow-up arranged.
The ADHB has apologised to the family of Ahlquist, 33, but has not been in touch with the family of Moyle, a father of three. The victim's children, who asked not to be named, say the ADHB were clearly unaware of the damage their incompetence has caused.
"For them to not even factor in the victim's family in their thinking doesn't bode well for the future of their mental health service. They have no concept of the wider damage their negligence causes," one son said.
Fionnagh Dougan, general manager of mental health services, said the ADHB could not comment because the case was before the courts.
The Ahlquist family said the case is similar to that of Mark Burton, who stabbed to death his mother the day after being released from a psychiatric unit.
