⚠️ Content Warning: This story contains explicit details about sexual offending and prison death that may be distressing to some readers. Discretion is advised.
A Porirua family is demanding answers and alleging a “cover-up” after their relative, Kingi Hemi, was found dead in a Northland prison cell more than four months ago under circumstances still not officially explained.
Hemi, 40, who was serving a six-year sentence for child sex offences, was discovered unresponsive at Ngawha Prison on November 30. Despite the time passed, police say the cause of death remains “unexplained,” and investigations are ongoing.
His sister, Serina Tuatara, said the whānau has been left in the dark.
“We feel like nobody is really looking into what happened to my brother,” she said. “We want justice. We want closure.”
Originally from Porirua, Hemi had been living in Waitara at the time of his arrest. His criminal history included over 30 convictions, and he had been denied parole just months before his death.
The family claims they were told Hemi had been asking to be moved from his cell due to bullying by his cellmate. A tipster contacted them via social media alleging threats and abuse, prompting concerns that Hemi’s pleas for help went unanswered.
Corrections confirmed Hemi was in a double-bunked cell and noted that prisoners can request segregation at any time. The department said it had fully cooperated with the police investigation but directed further questions to authorities.
Adding to the family’s distress, Tuatara said she helped prepare her brother’s body for the tangi and was alarmed by unexplained bruising and scratches.
“My brother didn’t look right,” she said. “The funeral home told us his autopsy was extremely thorough—more than usual. That raised more questions for us.”
Police have confirmed they are still awaiting results from the pathologist’s report and stated they would continue to update the family when there are developments.
Hemi leaves behind a five-year-old daughter. While his crimes were severe and deeply harmful, his family say they are entitled to know the full truth about how he died while in the state’s care.
“It’s been over four months and we still don’t know what happened,” Tuatara said. “It’s very hard on all of us.”
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