Hunter Arthur MacIntosh

Teenage babysitter Daniel Cameron, 16, was sentenced to at least 11 years behind bars for the murder of 9-year-old Hunter MacIntosh. Hunter Arthur MacIntosh was born on March 28, 2010. When he turned 5 he graduated to Otautau School, where his mother Amy King taught. He was a sensitive, happy young soul with a ready smile. Thoughtful, empathetic, he cared for all things great and small. Hunter liked his friends, biking, Lego, science, and reading Captain Underpants and Dog Man books. But he also thought of himself as a gamer, with a particular enjoyment of Minecraft and Roblox. Amy, who had split up with Hunter's father, had started to recognise just how close they were. She knew they needed to try to become a little more independent of each other. So, over the past year or so, she'd started going to pool nights at the local pub on Wednesday nights. She would go with partner Hayden, hang out with friends, chat and shoot some pool. The mother of Hunter's favourite babysitter, a local boy named Daniel Cameron, would also be at pool night. On Wednesday October 30 last year, Cameron's mother dropped him off at Amy King's house in Otautau about 6pm. Amy, 39, kissed Hunter goodnight and went to the pub with Hayden for their regular social outing. They were joined by their friend, Cameron's mum, soon after. At 8.20pm, Cameron sent a Facebook Messenger note to a friend which said "help". Ten minutes later, he sent a chilling Snapchat message to three friends which said, "What would you do if I killed someone?" And at 8.35pm, he asked another friend: "What would you think of me if I killed someone" and then a second message saying, "straight forward answer". It was getting late and Amy was ready to go home. Cameron, by now walking along the road to Riverton, called a friend at 10.01pm to say he wasn't coming to school tomorrow. Amy texted him at 10.10pm to check if Hunter was asleep. But she never got a response – and she started making for home. When Amy got in the door shortly before 10.30pm, she went to check on her son. There was no sign of Cameron. She looked in Hunter's bedroom but couldn't see him in bed. Amy went to turn away but stopped and pushed his bedroom door fully open. It was then that she saw Hunter lying on his back on the floor at the foot of the bed. He had a large knife in his stomach and appeared to be dead. She ran from the house screaming. Cameron went home just before 11.30pm. Police arrested him an hour later. An autopsy indicated that Hunter had been killed within 90 minutes of being in Cameron's care. The little boy had suffered three large knife wounds to his torso and chest area. He also had marks around his neck that were consistent with asphyxia as well as a moderate head injury. They just hope that Hunter, the happy, smiling wee boy who was scared of the dark, never woke up. And that he takes some comfort from the lights they lined inside his coffin before they closed its lid. Source: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/southland-teenage-babysitter-murder-h...

MacIntosh Hunter Arthur, Tragically at Otautau on 30 October 2019. Aged 9 years. Treasured and dearly loved by his Mum Amy King and his Step dad Hayden Morris. Excited big brother to be. Adorable grandson of Paul and Sharon King. Much loved nephew of Steven and Tanya; Mandy and Hayden. Best friend of Junior, Makita, Oakley and Ollie. Proud Great grandson of Heather and Bob Arthur and Ron and Marge King. Loved by his step grandparents Herb and Norina Morris. Dearly loved by Nolie. Funeral details to be advised. Hunter will be at 20 Nantwich st from Monday afternoon for those friends who wish to visit. Messages to 20 Nantwich St Otautau. Source: https://frasersfunerals.co.nz/tributes/tribute-details/?id=164.

Sources

1. https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/121943727/teen-babysitter-wh...