Baby Ru death investigation arrest, Digi Mart USA News (Taitā, New Zealand): A person has been arrested in relation to the investigation into the death of Baby Ru, according to RNZ, which reported that the charge does not directly relate to Baby Ru’s death and is not a murder or manslaughter charge.
Baby Ru, officially named Nga Reo Te Huatahi Reremoana Ahipene-Wall, died just before his second birthday on October 22, 2023, after being taken to Hutt Hospital in an unresponsive state. Last month marked three years since his death.
Police have said three people were inside the Poole Street, Taitā home on October 22, 2023, when Baby Ru suffered blunt force trauma so severe it fractured his skull. The three people police have identified as persons of interest are Rosie Morunga, her then-partner Dylan Ross, and the child’s mother, Storm Wall.
Wall has repeatedly denied being involved in her son’s death and has previously spoken at length with RNZ about what she alleges happened and who she claims killed him. RNZ understands that the person arrested is expected to appear in court on Tuesday.
Detective Inspector Nick Pritchard told RNZ last month that the homicide investigation, dubbed Operation Huia, remains active, with a small dedicated team working full time under the oversight of a senior investigating officer. He said police continue to engage with the Crown solicitor and forensic experts while assessing evidential material and the criminal liability of any persons of interest.
Asked how close police are to making an arrest, Pritchard said he could not give any timeframes. He noted that police had engaged with the Crown some time ago and that a significant amount of material had to be reviewed, leading to additional inquiry and forensic work.
