Father of killed girls returns to South Africa

The father of three children allegedly murdered by their mother has returned to South Africa to spend time with his extended family.

Lauren Anne Dickason is accused of the murder of her three daughters – twins Maya and Karla, 2, and their older sister Liane´, 6 – on September 16, about a week after the family moved from South Africa into a property used as housing for staff at Timaru Hospital.

The girls’ father, and Dickason’s husband, Graham Dickason, has since returned to South Africa. Dickason, who moved to New Zealand to take up a job at Timaru Hospital, is expected to return in the future.

On November 28, the orthopaedic surgeon posted two photos on Facebook of him back in South Africa.

Timaru Hospital chaplain Reverend Alan Cummins told Stuff he had been informed Dickason returned to his home country about a month ago.

‘‘As to how long or what the future holds, I’m not really certain,’’ he said. ‘‘I think he was keen to go home for Christmas. He was going back to South Africa with his sister, [and] another sister was coming down from England to join them to have time with [their] mum in South Africa.’’

Cummins had developed ‘‘quite a friendship’’ with Dickason. When he last saw him he was alright, but ‘‘struggling with the whole scenario’’.

‘‘He’s been well looked after by new friends in Timaru and South Canterbury, obviously processing whatever the future may bring and where he’ll live and what he’ll do.’’

Cummins said Lauren Dickason’s parents had flown from South Africa to visit their daughter and son-in-law. Stuff understands they have since returned home.

Dickason, who was hospitalised after the incident, had appeared in court in Timaru on September 18.

More time was granted for a psychiatric assessment to be done when the case was last called in Christchurch.

The trial has been scheduled for March 2023.

Justice Mander said Dickason would continue to be detained in Hillmorton Hospital’s forensic unit until trial or until detention there was ‘‘no longer seen as necessary or appropriate’’.

Suppression orders continue, including one banning publication of details of the case.