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A toddler who died in unexplained circumstances in Lower Hutt was days away from his second birthday, and is being mourned as the “soul” of his whānau.
Ruthless-Empire died in Hutt Hospital on Sunday after he was taken there unresponsive from a house in Taita Lower Hutt.
His uncle and family spokesman Ngatanahira Reremoana told the Herald Ruthless-Empire was a “happy and bubbly” baby who would brighten up any room with his smile.
He described his nephew as “our soul” and said the family was absolutely devastated, having learned of his death while they were gathered in church.
“We received this news whilst our church bells were ringing on Sunday 10.55am that our Baby Ru had grown his wings and headed home to Torona o Iho [Throne of God].”
Reremoana said he hoped his nephew would leave a legacy in his name, and let other whānau learn from the tragedy.
“We’ve had to learn the hard way and go through this, Ruthless was turning 2 tomorrow and was going to be celebrating it with whānau and his friends.”
Baby Ruthless-Empire died in hospital on Sunday. Photo / Ngatanahira Reremoana
He declined to comment on the circumstances of Ruthless-Empire’s death, saying the investigation was with the police.
“Our whānau will never forget this little boy. He was our soul but he was taken from us. It’s time for our whānau to mourn as we wait for our boy to be released from his postmortem assessment in Wellington Hospital.”
“Piki Te Ora [be well], Piki Te Kaha [be strong], Piki Te Maramatanga [believe], Me te rangimarietanga [may there be peace].”
He has started a Givealittle page to raise money for his nephew’s funeral and whānau.
Police say Ruthless’s death was unexplained and an investigation into the circumstances is under way.
A police car was still at the scene on Poole St. Photo / Vita Molyneux
Police were seen conducting investigations at a Kāinga Ora home on Poole St in Taitā, Lower Hutt on Monday and a scene guard was stationed outside the residence.
An officer dressed in white overalls also entered the house, which had obscenities written on the windows.
There’s a forensic tent set up on the left hand side of the property.
Vicki McLaren, the Kainga Ora regional director for Greater Wellington, said their thoughts are with the whānau of the deceased child.
“Kāinga Ora - Homes and Communities was very sad to learn this morning of what police are describing as an unexplained death at one of our properties in Lower Hutt.
“Our thoughts are with the whānau of the deceased.
“Due to the ongoing police investigation, we are unable to comment further.”
Vita Molyneux is a Wellington-based journalist who covers breaking news and stories from the capital. She has been a journalist since 2018 and joined the Herald in 2021.
