Revenge seen as likely motive for baby's kidnapping

By ANGELA GREGORY AND NZPA

A forensic criminologist believes revenge remains the most likely motive for the abduction of Kahurautete Durie and the offender will soon want that known.

An Australian criminology expert, Wayne Petherick, told the Herald yesterday that while anything was possible most other scenarios were unlikely.

Mr Petherick said the high profile of Justice Eddie Durie and Donna Hall suggested revenge.

That tied in with the planning of the abduction during the family's regular Saturday walk.

"It appears the offender must have spent some time getting to know the area in terms of traffic movements and who was around when."

Mr Petherick said it would be important for the offender that the reason for the revenge became known.

"They [the offender] will want the parents to know who is putting them through this hell ... they are not going to want to leave you guessing."

Mr Petherick said that scenario made it more likely the child was still alive.

One of America's top criminal profilers, Clinton Van Zandt, believes there are four main scenarios and says there is still hope baby Kahu is alive.

Speaking from New York, the former head of the FBI's behavioural psychology unit said:

"If it is not a form of extreme punishment of the baby's parents for something they have done, then they and the police have every reason to believe there is a good chance the baby is still alive and is still somewhere in the relative local area."

However, Mr Van Zandt acknowledged that as both parents were involved in the law "punishment" for past deeds or an attempt to influence a case were obvious possible motives. This type of offender might have scant regard for the baby's life.

"He is likely to be a tremendously angry individual and that could affect the baby's chances."

A second scenario was ransom, which could not be ruled out just because the offender had not yet contacted the parents. "It's possible they are trying to apply as much pressure as possible so that when they finally do contact the family they will be more likely to acquiesce to their demands, possibly without even informing the police."

He said a third scenario was a person wanting to "substitute" the stolen baby for one he or she had lost, or was unable to have.

A fourth scenario was that someone known to the birth parents had taken "bizarre moral or religious offence" to the baby's being adopted and had decided to remove it.

Flier distributed by police

Description of suspect

Picture: Kahurautete Durie

Picture: Kahurautete's clothing

Picture: the car being sought by police

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