The body of slain Kiwi Anthony Way has been released to his family and his brother has been able to spend time with him at a funeral home.
Andre Way travelled to Queensland to bring his brother's body home from Queensland after he was stabbed to death by another Kiwi - and former friend - Paul Rogers on Sunday night.
Rogers also killed his former fiancee, Tania Simpson, and abducted their 5-year-old daughter Kyla, who most likely slept through the murders.
Rogers and Kyla were found dead from carbon monoxide poisoning in Rogers' station wagon late Monday night.
Also in Queensland to bring the body home is Kelvin Heiford, a friend from Nelson who told the Weekend Herald funeral details were close to being finalised.
"We're trying to sort that out today. We've pretty much confirmed there's going to be a memorial service on the Gold Coast on Tuesday."
They would then return to New Zealand for a funeral to be held in Nelson, possibly on Thursday.
Mr Heiford said Queensland police had been great to deal with but because they were dealing with a triple homicide, progress on getting Mr Way's body back had been slow.
Early this week, Andre Way said it was possible they might meet relatives of Tania Simpson, who was killed with his brother, but that hasn't happened yet.
Meanwhile, questions are being asked within Queensland police ranks about the delay in issuing a child abduction alert for 5-year-old Kyla.
A senior officer, speaking on condition of not being identified, has alleged a "cover up" over the delay.
"When a man commits a double murder and then abducts his child, it's almost inevitable that he's going to drive into the bush and gas himself and the kid."
A police internal inquiry has been launched into why the "amber alert" about Kyla's abduction was not issued until 3.15pm on Monday - almost seven hours after her mother and Mr Way were found.
additional reporting: Courier Mail
Slain Kiwi's body now with family
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.