Whangarei Fatal Shooting: Yvonne Chapman’s friends share their heart

“We had a special connection and we loved each other. She has been close to my heart since I was children.

“I had no idea that her life was in danger – I would like to have been there to take a bullet for her. It is unfaithful how someone could do – the way he died was so violent, I couldn’t do this to a dog, “Lendich told Herald.

Nine months ago, the pair reconnected in a random meeting, when Chapman saw the name “Lendich” from a truck in Whangārei.

She asked her on the female driver if she was related to Brett. The woman, his daughter, replied, “He is my father.”

Chapman was the mother of three sons who paid tribute to him as a “beloved mother”.

He lived in Whangārei and worked part-time on Archibald cars driving vehicles from Auckland to Whangārei and Kerikeri.

When he was in the north, he met Lendich for coffee or walking on the beach and collecting Tuatua together.

“Yvonne was beautiful as always. You know, I got married and had other relationships, but she stayed in my heart, all my life, ”he said

GUnshot were heard at the Beach Road Reserve around 11.10 on February 27. Chapman was found dead on the spot when the police arrived.

A few days later, on March 4, a 63 -year -old man, 63, in the Auckland Hospital, was accused at the bedside table with the killing of Chapman.

The alleged gun is accused of shooting it in Whangarei. For legal reasons, Herald I can’t call it.

KIm Baigent, 68, and Yvonne Chapman, 66, were friends of the childhood school whose connection has been proven throughout her life.

Single mothers were recently semi-pensions and liked to be on their way together in their rooms, exploring the rural environment and entering into wickedness.

“We were wicked and we had fun until the day Yvonne died,” Baigen said for Herald.

“I did not fully process that he left. She was my oldest friend, I was inseparable, two peas in a pod. He loved everyone and everyone loved him, “she said.

Baigent said Chapman had recently moved his house. He was “in peace and happy.”

Baigent – truck and cook driver – knows the gun.

She described him as a “deep and kind thinker” and a talented technician who could repair anything.

“He was very kind to me,” she said.

THis week has moved to the new Northland house, which Chapman helped find it.

“It’s sweet, Yvonne was with me when I bought the house, he would buy a property close to me. And he loved the three sons and six grandchildren. ”

Baigen had recently met Brett Lendich. “Yvonne told me she was” soft and sweet, “she said.

Lendich did not participate in Chapman’s funeral, but followed him online with his best partner on his side. He says his life has been supported.

“He is traumatic that he is at home, I see Yvonne everywhere, on the couch, lying on the bed or in the kitchen. She has been the love of my life since then and I love her until today. ”

Carolyne Meng-Yee He is an investigative journalist in Auckland, who won the best documentary at Voyager Media Awards in 2022. He worked for Herald Sunday in 2007-2011 and returned to Herald in 2016, after working as a business producer awarded at 60 minutes, 20/20 and Sunday.