As stated by Detective Senior Sergeant Albie Alexander, Counties Manukau Police:
Police acknowledge the sentencing today for the two men responsible for the murder of Chris Bush and aggravated robbery at the Red Fox Tavern during Labour weekend, 1987.
This concludes a 34-year-old case which was never far from the mind of the Bush family or Police investigators.
Counties Manukau CIB staff, led by recently deceased Detective Inspector Gary Lendrum, set about reviewing the investigation in 2016 following new information coming to Police’s attention.
The investigators worked tirelessly on this historical case, ultimately leading to the arrest and charging of two individuals in 2017.
Gaye Bush with daughter Jodie at Chris Bush’s funeral. In her victim impact statement, Gaye said she had her whole life to look forward to with her husband, before it was all taken away, and the once close family have now become estranged. The family said they wished to acknowledge their friends, current and former police staff that worked on the investigation and the Manukau Crown Solicitors office for their dedication and compassion shown to the family through what has been an extremely difficult 34 years. After the fatal shooting, Gaye Bush vowed to restore a happy atmosphere at the tavern.
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