Decapitated murder victim Francis Tyson a 'kind' man who fought for justice - ex-employer

A former employer of the elderly man who was brutally decapitated last week in Petone has spoken about her grief. 

The woman, who Newshub has chosen not to name, spoke of the loss of a man she says was "a kind person with a great sense of humour".

Her message comes on the same day that a 41-year-old man has been charged with 71-year-old Francis "Frank" Tyson's gruesome murder. 

The accused man is also facing charges of intentional damage and the sale and supply of non-approved drugs.

The Petone woman employed Mr Tyson for a number of years as a lawnmower. 

In a message to Newshub, she said Mr Tyson was a hard worker, who didn't live above his means.

"Be kind, for everyone you know is fighting a battle."

"He was a person who tried to make ends meet and sought out various ways to provide enough income for his basic needs."

The woman spoke with tenderness about Mr Tyson's relationship with his community, saying that he was a "voice in his community" when he saw "unfair justice to the people and their living conditions".

"If you do right no one remembers, if you do wrong nobody forgets.

"He did not deserve to die in this manner of brutality."

Police have confirmed that neither Mr Tyson, nor the man who has been charged with his murder were gang-affiliated.

Newshub.