Town in shock at brutal killings

At 86 and confined to a mobility scooter, Frank Schist had openly stated he felt ready to die.

But those who knew the Hokitika pensioner and "real gentleman" cannot accept the brutal way in which he lost his life - shot dead on Tuesday at his home with his intellectually disabled grandson, as his elderly wife lay ill in hospital.

The double killing has shocked the small West Coast town, especially as another of the town's residents is being charged with their murders.

A heavily tattooed 41-year-old man appeared in the Greymouth District Court yesterday charged with the murder of Mr Schist, and will soon be charged with the murder of Mr Schist's grandson, Andrew Hutcheson, 22.

He is in custody with name suppression until his next court appearance on Tuesday. His lawyer, Doug Taffs, is seeking a psychiatric report to assess his client's fitness to plead.

Police were called to the scene of the shooting on Tuesday afternoon to find two bodies, a "distressed" man, and a rifle at the property. A neighbour told the Herald she heard a "bang, bang" noise before police arrived.

The family of Mr Schist and Mr Hutcheson were said to be "pretty cut up". It is understood they plan to release a statement today.

A former farmer and devout Jehovah's Witness, Mr Schist was described yesterday by those who knew him as a loving family man.

His wife had recently become ill and got the news of the killings in her hospital bed.

Bill Amberger, who has known Mr Schist for decades since they worked together on the gardening staff at a former mental hospital, said Mr Schist never drank and kept to himself, but was a good man.

"Frank said to me some time ago that he was quite happy to die. I think he had a great faith in his religion," Mr Amberger said. "But I didn't want to see him go like that."

Pearl Heward, who knew Mr Schist through his work at the mental hospital, said: "He was a proper gentleman."

The police examination of the shooting scene continued yesterday, while the bodies were due to be removed from the property for transport to Christchurch for post-mortem examinations.