The victim of an alleged coastal Taranaki murder was expecting the arrival of his third son in just weeks.
Two men accused of murdering Jacob Ramsay appeared in New Plymouth District Court on Wednesday. Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook
But now that unborn child, Olliver, will never get to meet his father, Jacob Mills Ramsay.
The body of alleged murder victim Ramsay, 33, was found at an Upper Kina Road Property in Oaonui, South Taranaki, on Sunday.
Two men, aged 18 and 39, have been charged with his murder.
Ramsay was the father of Lucus, 11, Hunter, 5, and unborn son, Olliver, who is due in six weeks.
His wife Sarah Ramsay was in Waikato for an appointment with her midwife when she learned of her husband's death.
The police phoned her on Monday morning with the news, a spokesperson for the family said on Wednesday evening.
"She was instantly heartbroken by the news and is struggling to come to terms with the situation," they said.
"The loss of Jacob is unfathomable, as their children will now grow up without him. Their unborn, Olliver, will never get to meet his dad."
Sarah, who married Jacob in Stratford last year, has lost the "love of her life," the spokesperson said.
Jacob was a farmworker who had been in the industry for the past decade, working to support Sarah and their boys, they said.
"Now that support has been lost forever."
The two men accused of murdering Ramsay appeared in New Plymouth District Court on Wednesday morning.
The older man faces an additional charge of kidnapping, also in relation to Ramsay.
Court documents allege Ramsay died on 29 July, two days prior to when his body was found.
It is understood Ramsay was living at the Upper Kina Road property at the time of his death.
Court documents state both of the accused also live in Oaonui.
Detective Inspector Brent Matuku said police were still piecing together the timeline of Ramsay's movements before his death.
Police were looking to speak with anyone with information on a physical altercation involving Ramsay in the Ōakura township about 5pm on 29 July, Matuku said.
"We also want to talk to anyone who saw a silver-coloured 2005 Peugeot station wagon in Ōakura at about that time, or may have noticed it travelling in the coastal area on that Friday evening."
Information can be given by contacting police on 105, quoting the file number 220731/0100.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 or online via [crimestoppers https://www.crimestoppers-nz.org].
Meanwhile, a Givealittle page, named Justice for Jacob, has been set up to help assist the family, the spokesperson said.
* This story originally appeared in the New Zealand Herald.