Relief at guilty verdict for policewoman’s ‘senseless’ murder

Wednesday, 20 May 2026

The conviction of Nelson policewoman Lyn Fleming’s killer has been met with relief by the city’s police.

In the early hours of New Year’s Day last year, Hayden Tasker rammed his car into Senior Sergeant Fleming and Senior Sergeant Adam Ramsay in Buxton Square. Fleming died, and Ramsay was seriously injured.

On Monday, the 33-year-old was found guilty by a Christchurch High Court jury of murdering Fleming and intentionally causing grievous bodily harm to Ramsay.

Tasman District Commander Superintendent Tracey Thompson said Monday’s guilty verdicts came as a “relief”.

She said the verdict marked the end of more than 17 months of hard work to get justice for Fleming and those who were injured - Ramsay, Constable Jemma Radcliffe, and a member of the public.

Thompson attended the conclusion of the trial on behalf of Fleming and Ramsay’s colleagues in Nelson. She said hearing the jury return guilty verdicts was “an emotional but liberating moment”.

“The verdict will never undo the anguish or pain from that night, but I believe it is a crucial step in the healing process.”

Thompson said she knew that Nelson Bays and the wider Tasman District police would share the “small sense of comfort” that Monday’s verdict brought.

She also paid tribute to those involved in getting justice for Fleming.

“Lyn should not have died that night. Officers and everyday members of the community should not have had to witness the terrible scenes in that car park. We should not have had to knock on the doors of families to tell them their loved ones were in hospital.”

While the guilty verdict brought some closure, it would never bring Fleming back or erase the traumatic events of that night from their minds, she said.

Thompson acknowledged the people – police officers and the public – who came to the aid of Fleming, Ramsay, and a member of the public.

“Immediately following the offender’s actions, officers and passersby leapt into action, stopping him from inflicting further damage while others did everything they could to save Lyn’s life and treat the injured.

“Their actions were heroic and showed the best of humanity.”

Thompson also praised the work of the investigation team, made up of officers from outside the Nelson area.

Tasman police staff had continued their work throughout the case, all the while shouldering the “intolerable burden” of knowing one of their colleagues had died and another was seriously injured in “senseless” circumstances.

Thompson said Fleming was a respected and dearly valued colleague, a much-loved wife, mother and pillar of support to her family, and also a mentor and friend to many.

The outpouring of support showed how many lives she touched, she said.

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers said he hoped that Fleming’s family had drawn some comfort from the love and respect shown for Fleming by her colleagues and the community she was dedicated to.

Nelson mayor Nick Smith welcomed Monday’s conviction, which he said would be a relief for the Nelson community as well as Fleming’s family.

“This senseless killing impacted everyone in our city and was made worse by it being at New Year - a time for celebration - and her life of work, keeping our city safe.

“This conviction enables our city to move forward knowing the man responsible has been held accountable while never forgetting the memory of this dedicated woman.”

Nelson MP Rachel Boyack said Fleming’s death was a “senseless and unnecessary tragedy”.

“I am certain that the hearts of everyone in Nelson go out to Lyn’s family and friends, to Nelson Police, and to the witnesses on the night who responded so quickly and bravely.”