The elder of two surviving sisters of a massacre that took the lives of three generations of a rural South Auckland family almost 31 years ago has died.

Kerry Schlaepfer, 45, died in her sleep on Tuesday, according to a family notice published in the Weekend Herald today.

Kerry and her then 9-year-old sister Linda were the only survivors in their immediate family after their grandfather Brian Schlaepfer either shot or stabbed six relatives on the family property, in Paerata’s Ostrich Farm Rd, on May 20, 1992. He then took his own life.

The graves of the Schlaepfer family at Paerata. Photo / NZ Herald

Kerry, then aged 14, was away at the time, but Linda survived after picking up the phone her mother Hazel had dropped, after being shot as she called 111 for help.

Linda would spend three hours barricaded in a bedroom, scared but calm as she spoke on the phone to Constable Jeff Stuck, before police could secure the scene and come to her rescue.

A relative told the Weekend Herald today the family didn’t immediately want to comment on Kerry’s death.

A mum-of-one, she is also survived by her partner, according to the family notice.

Her funeral will take place in Pukekohe on Tuesday, with her ashes to be interred at Heights Park Cemetery, where her slain family members are also buried.

Peter Schlaepfer's funeral in 1992. Six family members of the Schlaepfer family were killed by patriarch Brian on the family farm in Parata. Photo / NZME

Brian Schlaepfer murdered his wife Jocelyn, 55, and their son Karl, 33, in the home they shared before taking the life of his youngest son Darrell, 31, in a tool shed on the property.

Eldest son Peter, 39, and his wife Hazel, 42 - Kerry and Linda’s parents - and their son Aaron, 11, were then shot or stabbed by the 64-year-old, who had suffered from depression before the murders but had refused help.

The alarm was raised when Hazel called 111, Linda taking over the call after her mother was shot dead as Constable Stuck listened helplessly in the Auckland Central police station.

There was a two-minute silence between the gunshot and hearing Linda’s voice.

Only moments earlier, she had listened to Aaron plead for his life before hearing the gunshot that killed him.

“My granddad ... he’s shot my brother”, she said to Stuck.

“And I think he’s coming to shoot me.”

WHERE TO GET HELP

• Lifeline: 0800 543 354 (available 24/7)
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)
• Youthline: 0800 376 633
• What’s Up: 0800 942 8787 (11am to 11pm)
• Depression helpline: 0800 111 757 (available 24/7)
• Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155
• Helpline: 1737

If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111

FAMILY HARM

If you’re in danger NOW

• Phone the police on 111 or ask neighbours of friends to ring for you.
• Run outside and head for where there are other people.
• Scream for help so that your neighbours can hear you.
• Take the children with you.
• Don’t stop to get anything else.
• If you are being abused, remember it’s not your fault. Violence is never okay.

Where to go for help or more information

• Women’s Refuge: Free national crisis line operates 24/7 - 0800 REFUGE or 0800 733 843

http://www.womensrefuge.org.nz’ target=’_blank’>www.womensrefuge.org.nz

• Shine, free national helpline 9am- 11pm every day - 0508 744 633

http://www.2shine.org.nz’ target=’_blank’>www.2shine.org.nz

• It’s Not Ok: Information line 0800 456 450 http://www.areyouok.org.nz’ target=’_blank’>www.areyouok.org.nz
• Shakti: Providing specialist cultural services for African, Asian and Middle Eastern women and their children. Crisis line 24/7 0800 742 584
• Ministry of Justice: http://www.justice.govt.nz/family-justice/domestic-violence’target=’_blank’>www.justice.govt.nz/family-justice/domestic-violence
• National Network of Stopping Violence: http://www.nnsvs.org.nz’ target=’_blank’>www.nnsvs.org.nz
• White Ribbon: Aiming to eliminate men’s violence towards women http://www.whiteribbon.org.nz’ target=’_blank’>www.whiteribbon.org.nz

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http://areyouok.org.nz/cover-my-tracks/’ target=’_blank’>here to hide your visit.

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