New Zealand's only maximum security prison is in lock down, after the suicide of one of its most notorious inmates - Antonie Dixon.
Dixon's body was found in a cell inside the high risk unit at Paremomo this morning - where he was being held on suicide watch.
In a statement, the Corrections Department say staff had provided medical assistance, but were unable to revive him.
Lawyer Barry Hart says Dixon had been sick for weeks, self harming himself, and becoming increasingly prone to erratic behaviour.
However he refuses to comment on reports that Dixon had attacked him at their last meeting.
"The signs have been there for weeks that he was paranoid and suspicious about people wanting to help him," Mr Hart says.
Mr Hart says a psychiatrist visited Dixon just hours before his death.
It is understood that Dixon was found with a piece of a blanket around his neck, but a cause of death is yet to be established.
Mr Hart broke the news to Dixon's sister this morning and says she will be travelling to Auckland for the funeral.
The partner of one of Antonie Dixon's victims, Julie Cropley, says she would not be grieving over Dixon's death.
"I'm glad he's dead," she says. " But he took the easy way out."
Ms Cropley's partner James Te Aute was shot ten times in the back by Dixon, and she says it has haunted her ever since.
"I won't hear his name anymore hopefully," she says. "And maybe it can rest, rest in peace."
The family of Renee Gunbie, who lost her hand in Dixon's attack, have mixed emotions over his death.
"It's the end of having him in our life," they say. "But at the same time you can't help feeling a bit of compassion for such a tortured soul."
Dixon was due to appear for sentencing this morning, however arrangements had already been made to have sentencing adjourned until February 20 so his sister, who lives overseas, could attend the sentencing.
3 News
source: newshub archive
