The US PhD student, Kyle Whorrall, who died after being attacked at an Auckland bus stop over Easter weekend has been remembered by friends and colleagues as a "gentle soul" who loved insects, plants and plushies.
A 16-year-old boy has been charged with murder and aggravated robbery, and a 32-year-old woman has been charged with being an accessory after the fact to murder - both have appeared in court on Wednesday and were remanded in custody.
Whorrall moved to New Zealand four years ago to pursue a PhD in entymology at the University of Auckland, and was also working at the crown research institute Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research.
US PhD student Kyle Whorrall. Photo: SUPPLIED
Police said he'd gone to the supermarket at 9.40pm on Saturday, before walking to the bus stop on St Johns Road in Meadowbank, where he was later attacked.
More than 50 members of the community, friends and colleagues of Whorall gathered in a vigil on Thursday morning at the bus stop where he spent his final moments.
Many left flowers, sang waiata and shared emotional tributes to Whorrall, and sobs were heard throughout the crowd.
A friend and flatmate, who didn't want to be named, said Whorrall had left a deep impression on all of them.
"He was gentle, he was kind, he was very thoughtful, he was the kind of person who would just unapologetically geek out on anything he was passionate about, stuff most people wouldn't care about, but when he talked about it, you cared, because he cared so much about it," he said
"He had a beautifully found family here in New Zealand, lots of people that cared about him," he added.
More than 50 members of the community, friends and colleagues of Whorall gathered in a vigil honouring Kyle Whorrall. Photo: RNZ / Lucy Xia
Another flatmate said Whorrall had many hobbies which went beyond his field of research.
"He loved to work on his passions which expanded beyond insects and his work, he loved crafting and painting and sewing, and creating plushies.
"He loved plushies so much, and plants, so he had many passions, and he loved being in his own space but whenever we would be together, we would play boardgames, he'd always come down and join us, he was very social.
"And he cared deeply, he just cared deeply about what he did and the people in his life and he was just the sweetest person," she said.
In a rare moment of humour, another friend recalled that Whorrall had interesting habits such as drinking coffee all throughout the night - particularly ice coffee.
"Even through winter, it had to be ice coffee," she said.
Kyle Whorrall's flatmates. Photo: RNZ/Lucy Xia
A colleague who worked with Whorrall at Manaaki Whenua broke down in tears as she shared her tribute.
"He was quiet and shy, but everybody being here with us today... is a testament to his character,
"Kyle's not with us right now but I know the song never dies, and I know he's begun his new experience, his new journey, and I thank him so much for showing all of us how much love we actually have for him," she said.
A family friend has started a gofundme page to support Whorrall's family with travel and funeral expenses.
Photo: RNZ / Lucy Xia
Local resident Pippa Barber was among many locals who shared a sadness and disbelief at the senseless attack.
"I've got a son whose only a few years younger, who catches the bus, who looked so much like Kyle and was passionate about insects, and my mother in law's house is 50 meters around the corner, so this is an area that my husband's family grew up in, and just to think that this could happen," she said.
Ōrākei Local Board's deputy chairperson Sarah Powrie, who also attended the vigil, said she was still "stunned" at the tragic incident.
She said she'd like to see police better resourced at a community level.
"We have community patrols which really step-up and help at a local level, but our feeling is we need more police on the ground," she said.
Kyle Whorrall moved to New Zealand four years ago to pursue a PhD in entymology at the University of Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Lucy Xia
The University of Auckland's vice chancellor Dawn Freshwater said in a statement that Whorrall had been described by colleagues as a gifted researcher and a rising young scientist in his field.
"Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues.
"The University has been in close contact with Kyle's family in the US and is helping them with their travel arrangements to New Zealand," she said.
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