Warning - this story includes distressing details of domestic violence.
The family of Northland woman Bridget Simmonds finally have justice.
Northland woman Bridget Simmonds (left), and her uncle, actor John Callen. Photo: Supplied, Frazer Harrison / Getty Images via AFP
A jury found her former partner Samuel Hemuera Pou guilty of her murder yesterday, after a three-week trial in the High Court at Whangārei.
The mother-of-two disappeared in early 2019, aged 42.
Her remains were found hidden in a shallow grave in farmland at Parakao, 15 months later.
In the High Court yesterday, Simmonds' family tried to hold back tears and her killer stood emotionless in the dock, as the unanimous guilty verdict was read.
Simmonds' uncle, renowned actor John Callen, said despite the outcome of the case, there were no winners.
"Often in cases like this, there's talk of closure. Closure is a fallacy. This hasn't closed. It will never end. The grief, the grief continues, and what you do is learn to live with it."
He said the evidence was incredibly uncomfortable to listen to.
"The incidents that have happened in the last two years will be the single worst event in our family's history and we've got a very big family, very big. The police have been extraordinary."
Through the trial, Crown prosecutor Mike Smith argued that Pou deliberately beat Bridget Simmonds to death, punching her and hitting her with a tree branch for up to 90 minutes.
"A beating, it would seem, that was designed to disable her. Fractures to her lower legs and feet would ensure that there was no way she was running away."
Samuel Hemuera Pou on trial. Photo: RNZ / Sam Olley
The jury heard evidence from dozens of witnesses, including police investigators, family members and scientists.
One witness, David Erihe, said he had a drinking session with Pou around the time Simmonds went missing.
He said Pou confessed he "wasted her" and "knocked her off" because "he was taking her to court for assault," and Pou was "blasé" when told to hand himself in to police.
After the guilty verdict, Detective Senior Sergeant Aaron Crawford said there was finally justice for Bridget and her family.
"It's been hard for a lot of [police] staff that have worked on it. Just in terms of the circumstances of Bridget's relationship, that violent relationship that she was in. The man hours that have gone into this investigation have been massive."
Pou's nephew, Te Koha Samuel Pou, also stood trial - accused of helping his uncle avoid arrest before Simmonds disappeared, and dishonestly using her bank card.
He too was found guilty, of both charges.
Convictions were entered for the pair and they will be sentenced in September.
Whatever their punishment, Callen said the burden of Simmonds' murder would never leave her family, but they cherished their memories of the woman she was.
"A lovely artist, a very devoted mother. She was a loved daughter. She obviously has two siblings. She was tremendous fun. We all have very happy memories of her when she was little ... She'll never be forgotten."
Where to get help
- Women's Refuge: (0800 733 843)
- It's Not OK (0800 456 450)
- Shine: 0508 744 633
- Victim Support: 0800 650 654
- HELP Call 24/7 (Auckland): 09 623 1700, (Wellington): be 04 801 6655 - 0
- The National Network of Family Violence Services NZ has information on specialist family violence agencies.
