"Darcy, we love you and we'll miss you always": Brother pays tribute to man killed in Flaxmere
Darcy Strickland will be remembered for his infectious smile, and genuine, loving personality, his older brother says.
The 29-year-old's death last night in Flaxmere sparked a homicide inquiry after he and his cousin were found on Ramsey Crescent at about 11.45pm.
While Darcy died at the scene, she was taken to Hawke's Bay Hospital with serious injuries.
"My brother Darcy was a gentle giant who we will miss," his older brother, Jermaine Strickland says.
"Anyone who knew him could see him from a mile away. He would light everyone up with his smile and his hugs would let you know that he genuinely loved and cared for you."
Darcy was the fourth of six children.
He says the family all loved him and would miss him.
"This is a tough loss for us all."
"We have had a flood of tributes coming in and want everyone to know that we love you all and are grateful to you all.
"These tributes to my brother serve as a testament to who he was. I hope and pray that we can all find peace and comfort at this time. And we hope that those who committed this act will come forward."
Jermaine plans to make the trip from Melbourne with his wife and daughter to be with his family.
"We're still in shock. I'm still in shock. I know when I get home, it'll hit me for six, as I'm sure it has everyone else."
They are grateful their cousin is "okay" at home with family.
He last spoke to his brother while he was in France living with their younger sister and her husband and two children.
His memories of Darcy will be of him smiling, whether it on the rugby field, or with those he loved dearly.
"Darcy, we love you and we'll miss you always. Families are forever."
Flaxmere community leader Peleti Oli, a barber and former councillor, says he was devastated. Their families were close, having grown up in church together and attending the same schools.
"Flaxmere’s a small community and this has shaken me up quite a bit,” he said. “We have lost another amazing member of our community."
He says Darcy's family is well-known in Flaxmere and are "really good people".
“If there’s a time to come together as a community it’s right now. We need to break these cycles and look after one another."
They have set up a GoFundMe page to help him and his sister travel to New Zealand to be with their family and celebrate his life. Any remaining funds will go towards paying for the funeral.
