Lisa Michelle Hope

Lisa Hope was stabbed to death by her father, Ian. Her mother, Sharon, wants public recognition that Cyfs failed Lisa. She said Cyfs had access to Ian Hope's medical reports, including a letter from Dr Dougal Steel, consultant psychiatrist, South Sector Community Mental Health Centre, dated August 31, 1998, which outlined his deteriorating mental health and his inability to care for their children. Believing himself to be the third son of God, Mr Hope, who had been admitted to Sunnyside Psychiatric Hospital that June, repeatedly stabbed Lisa the night before she was to return to her mother's care. The couple were separated and Mr Hope had custody of Lisa and her brother Timothy. He committed suicide in hospital three weeks later. Source: 4theKids

About midnight between December 16 and 17, 1998, the eight-year-old was murdered in her bed by her father Ian Hope. The house where the three generations of the Hope family lived was in a quiet street. Neighbours described Lisa as a warm-hearted, bright young chatterbox who was looking forward to her trip north. At first, when their parents split after 10 years of marriage in 1996, Lisa and Tim lived with their mother. After a protracted legal battle, Hope won custody of the children the following year and they returned to live with him and their paternal grandparents. Lisa was a pupil at nearby West Spreydon primary school. A teacher who came to her funeral said she had been doing "exceptionally well" and always gave more than was required on her assignments. But by 1998, Lisa had become frightened of her dad. Hope was 34 years old. He was mentally ill, suffering delusions, off his medication, and using cannabis. He had a spell as an inpatient in Sunnyside Hospital. Lisa said she had seen her dad chanting and dancing around a candlelit table. The Family Court ordered a Children and Young Persons social welfare report and a psychiatrist's report on Hope. Sharon Stephenson fought to regain custody of the children, and won. The papers were signed. On the day of December 16, Stephenson spoke to her children on the phone. Lisa's last words to her mother were: "Just one more sleep, mummy, and I'll be with you forever." Her mum replied: "I love you, baby". That night, Hope entered the children's bedroom. He tried to suffocate Lisa with his hands but she awoke, and asked her dad not to hurt her. He then stabbed her in the heart with a kitchen knife. Source: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/faces-of-innocents/81433596/faces-...