• Full Story

Dead Linton soldier named

Email
Print

Dead Linton soldier named

3News NZ

Alex Rope had been in the army since 2008 (Photo: Facebook)

Alex Rope had been in the army since 2008 (Photo: Facebook)

Army officers and friends tried in vain to negotiate with a young soldier suspected of taking his own life during yesterday's armed stand-off at Linton Military Camp, near Palmerston North.

Private Alexander Stewart Rope, 23, had a .22 calibre rifle at his home on the base and a police negotiator has told RadioLIVE he had been in a distressed state.

A friend said that Pte Rope had been drinking the night before, and sent a text to his partner saying he was depressed.

The Armed Offenders Squad stormed the house at around 2pm after firing tear gas canisters and found him deceased inside.

Pte Rope, 23, was originally from Whanganui and enlisted in the army in August 2008. He was posted to Linton in April 2009 as a rifleman, the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) says.

Central District Police manager of operations Inspector Dave White says it is an upsetting outcome for all involved.

“We are saddened that this has ended in tragedy and our sympathies are with his family at this difficult time,” he says.

"Police personnel worked hard with New Zealand Defence Force staff to resolve the situation peacefully yesterday and we are saddened that there wasn't a different outcome.

"The matter is now in the hands of the coroner."

Linton camp leader Colonel Chris Parsons says the Defence Force wants to thank the police for their hard work.

"Although the outcome is not the one we had hoped for, everyone involved dealt with the situation in an extremely professional manner," he says.

"Our thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues of Pte Rope at this difficult time."

Family friend Annette Gray tells the New Zealand Herald that Pte Rope was a loving father.

“He was really nice, really polite, and a loving father,” she says.  “He just doted on his children.”

He leaves behind a partner, and two young children aged five and one.

Friends of Pte Rope have been posting tributes on his Facebook page.

“You will never be forgotten,” one tribute reads. “My thoughts and prayers are with your family my bro.”

This is the second tragedy at Linton Military Camp following the drowning of Private Michael Ross in a central North Island lake.

3 News/RadioLIVE/NZN

Post a Comment

Before commenting, please take the time to read our moderation guide


(Won't be published)



Comments

11/10/2012 1:22:41 p.m.

donna jamieson wrote:

our thoughts and prayers are with Alex's family and malika and the children at this time.. love from Robert, donna, Samantha, and Briana.. Love to you malika

7/10/2012 7:13:07 p.m.

kylie wrote:

All of use need to shut up. I knew alex personally I was privelledged enough to be asked to be his sons god mother. I joined with him. You all don't know anything about this. Iv been with his family since yesterday. His colleages did try. But once the police got involved they had no say. So if you don't know don't comment with your I feel sorry for his kids. You don't know the story and never will. Its none of your business. I'm sorry but we're all grieving we haven't even got him back and use are all commenting like you know his story. Rip alexander rope. AARC 349. miss your cheeky personality. Had some funny times with you. Fly high. Watch over your babies youl always be in our hearts x see you tomorrow xx

7/10/2012 12:57:53 a.m.

seenit Tomanye wrote:

Another sad loss, and added statistic to the significant high incidence of suicide among Nz male 14-24years, inparticular Maori. Too many serious risk factors missed before he took his own life. About time the army teaches its soldiers, how to treat someone, stressed from many life factors. Staying with them, like you would if you had a serious gun shot wound. Wake up Army, Mental illness aka depression is a killer.

6/10/2012 8:15:27 p.m.

Don wrote:

Why is it when something terrible happens in the military all the nutters come out. First of all NIC follow suit of corrections no alcohol thats cause there prisons genius. Then comes BUKSTER lets see when the ChCh earthquakes happened they released the nutters Please with an attitude like yours no surprise you have bad experiences and I bet with a few people. To sum it all up between these two rockets all NZDF pers should be locked up caged in prisons as there all nutters.
Heres a better idea if youv'e got nothing nice to say show some respect for the family and loved ones by saying nothing.
I did not know you Alex but you have served as I, Rest in peace now
To the family, friends and loved ones my sympathy to you all for your loss

6/10/2012 5:17:04 p.m.

simone wrote:

Regardless of the circumstances, it is extremely sad to hear of a young person taking their life. Too sad

6/10/2012 3:17:57 p.m.

TheMantis wrote:

Nic: Should we make all homes alcohol free zones? Apart from this individual being a soldier it has nothing to do with the NZDF. It was in the housing area of Linton Camp not actually in the camp and by all accounts involved a private firearm. It could have just as easily happened if he lived anywhere else. Also, I think you'll find that the rules regarding consumption of alcohol within NZDF establishments are far stricter than that mandated under the Sale of Liquor Act.

6/10/2012 1:31:06 p.m.

Ruz wrote:

I guess when the Police surrounded the house with members of the armed offenders squad it is not surprising that a depressed man feeling trapped would take his own life. One wonders how a less aggressive approach would have ended up. After all with a bit more patience and the public safely out of the way a life may have been saved.

6/10/2012 12:37:16 p.m.

Glenn wrote:

Even when i was in the Army alcohol was a problem but the problems this young man must have been going through just didn't happen overnight! There would have been signs but what did his friends/colleagues do about it? I feel for those kids growing up without a father!!!

6/10/2012 11:48:15 a.m.

adam wrote:

I think nic needs to know what their talking about.... on a pay thursday the baggies bar is only open from 1600 - 2200 from there we usually head to palmy town. if some wants to drink they will find away... what do you propose that the Govt. makes NZ a dry zone or that the NZDF makes it a chargable offence to drink..... and bukster in your experience..... in your experience of what?? g=being a civvi your entire life???? not understanding military ethos values or the type of people we are.... get your head out from what ever rock its under.... to the both of you leave your stupid ill informed comments to yourself and off one of the brothers pages.... worry about your own medial live and let the NZDF families affect by this carry on.

6/10/2012 10:22:02 a.m.

Nic wrote:

I think that NZDF need to follow suit to the department of corrections and make all bases dry zones.