KEY POINTS:
Three English children orphaned when their policeman father committed suicide after murdering their mother and grandmother are moving to New Zealand.
Inspector Garry Weddell, 47, was on bail for the murder of his wife Sandra Weddell, 44, in January last year when he murdered his mother-in-law, Traute Maxfield, 70 in January this year.
Liza Devlin, who lost her twin sister and mother in the tragedy, has applied to adopt Lucy, eight, Thomas, 11, and Kate, 13, and bring them to New Zealand, where she has lived for 11 years, The Press reported.
If something had happened to her and her husband, her twin sister would have done the same thing for their children, Mrs Devlin said.
Mrs Devlin has five children but three have already left home. The family lives in Rangiora, near Christchurch.
"I think the children are looking forward to a bright future rather than looking back at a bleak past," said Mrs Devlin, who is praising New Zealand authorities for their support in the process. Approval is expected on April 1.
English police believe Weddell also intended to kill his brothers-in-law and their wives.
The case had many bizarre twists. When a police helicopter by chance circled over him as he was heading towards where the other family members lived, he thought it was in connection with him and he shot himself.
When he was freed on bail last July, a defence psychiatrist said he had no concerns about Weddell's mental state.
- NZPA
