Husband of man killed in police chase found dead the day after their wedding anniversary

A man whose husband was killed during a police chase on his way to work died suddenly.

Owen Fraser was found dead at his home in Kaiapoi, North Canterbury, on Wednesday, the day after what would have been Kenneth McCaul’s birthday and wedding anniversary.

McCaul, 64, a Fraser partner for 40 years, died in the early hours of October 22 last year when his car was hit by another car driven by Jayden Richard Breakwell, 17, at an intersection in Fendalton, Christchurch. .

Breakwell’s car had been chased by the police at high speed and repeatedly crossed red lights before the accident.

READ MORE:
* Police chased the fleeing car through seven red lights before the accident that killed the hospital worker.
* Man killed by fleeing driver in Christchurch fired
* Lack of brain development, bad attitude: why drivers flee from the police

McCaul would drive to work at the city hospital and leave early each day to secure a parking spot where he would sleep for two hours before his shift began.

Police were at Fraser’s home on Wednesday, but have not confirmed the identity of the person who died.

Investigations into the circumstances of the death were ongoing, said Canterbury District Commander Superintendent John Price.

“My thoughts and condolences are with the family and friends of the deceased.”

McCaul’s nephew Jeremy Colgan, who lives in Australia, was shocked to learn of Fraser’s death.

“Owen was an amazing and caring man. He and my Uncle Ken had a relationship that was the envy of all.

“They lived a beautiful existence because they were together. It has been so difficult to imagine one without the other.

“Now, together again, I hope that the moment they were apart is quickly forgotten and they can enjoy each other’s company again.”

A neighbor of Fraser said she had last seen him a week ago mowing the grass on the other side of the road.

“It’s very sad,” she said after learning that Fraser had died. “I knew I was really struggling with everything.”

Fraser and McCaul met at a club in Perth, Australia, on a Sunday night in May 1979.

“It was love at first sight – Kenneth fell in love with Owen’s beautiful long locks,” said celebrant Hilary Muir at McCaul’s funeral last year.

“Their life together was happy until October 22.”

Muir said Things she was “devastated” to learn of Fraser’s death.

“Owen found true love with Kenneth, found a home with Kenneth. Finally, they had so many plans together that everyone I know loved them. They were just two true knights who adored each other.

“The only consolation I have is that they are together.”

She said Fraser was “in shock” after McCaul’s death.

“They were a complete team, learning to live without the other was impossible. All their lives were intertwined. “

The couple spent 30 years in Australia, where McCaul was born, and married on McCaul’s 60th birthday in 2014.

An Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) investigation into the events that led to McCaul’s death was released in October, on Fraser’s 72nd birthday.

He found that officers should not have started the chase and that there were “multiple occasions” when he should have been abandoned.

After reading the report, Judge Colin Doherty directly asked Fraser what he thought of the findings, which were critical of the police’s approach to the prosecution.

“I said, ‘Well, I don’t agree with that because everything was critical of the police,'” Fraser said at the time.

“The person we have to blame is the driver of the car.”

Fraser then said Things that he had done his best to keep busy for the past year, gardening, painting the exterior of the house, and making photo albums.

“Otherwise, I’d be sitting there thinking all the time.”

Breakwell was jailed last December for two years and eight months for manslaughter and reckless driving that caused injury.

Fraser, who was not in court for sentencing, wrote in his victim’s shock about how financial difficulties after her husband’s death meant that he might be forced to sell his house, which was his “pride and joy.”

“It would be like leaving my heart and soul behind when I have to walk out the door for the last time. Why is the world so cruel sometimes?

“After doing everything together for 40 years, it’s no fun doing anything alone.

“I feel numb most of the time and I still can’t believe what has happened. Every day I wish Kenneth could show up.

“Sometimes I feel like my life has come to an end. Sometimes I wish I was dead so I could be with him. “

Where to get help

• 1737, do you need to talk? Call or text 1737 toll free to speak with a trained counselor.

• Kidsline 0800 54 37 54 for people up to 18 years old. Open 24/7.

• Life line 0800 543 354

• What happens: Free counseling service for children under 18 years of age

• Rural support trust 0800 787 254

• Samaritans 0800 726 666

• Suicide Crisis Helpline 0508 828865 (0508 SUPPORT)

• Youthline 0800 376 633, free text 234, email [email protected], or find online chat and other support options here.

• Anxiety New Zealand 0800 ANXIETY (0800 269 4389)

• If it is an emergency, Click here to find the number for your local crisis assessment team.

• In a life-threatening situation, call 111.