The covert conversations continued until March 13 when Mr Beckenridge abducted Mike from his school. Photo: suppliedBorder alerts were immediately arranged in relation to Mr Beckenridge and there was already one in place for Mike. The coroner said Mr Beckenridge would have feared arrest, and "the situation went from desperate to dire". Mike Beckenridge. The coroner said it was indicative of a trial run by Mr Beckenridge followed by the final plunge.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 25, 2026 11:18 UTC