Phillip Layton Edwards The man who killed gay celebrity interior decorator David McNee has today abducted a two year old boy from a Panmure home and police have grave fears for the child's safety. Phillip Layton Edwards, now 33, killed McNee in July 2003 after a sex for money arrangement went wrong. McNee died after a horiffic beating for which Edwards was jailed for manslaughter. After his first release from prison after killing McNee Edwards was subsequently convicted on another assault charge and returned to prison. He was released last year. At the time he killed McNee he was less than two weeks out of prison and had already amassed 56 convictions. A more recent picture of Phillip Layton Edwards Neighbours told One News there appeared to be some sort of altercation at a Panmure, Auckland, address where Edwards had been seen coming and going in recent times. They say they heard a woman screaming and at one point Edwards scooped up 2-year old Gabriel Donnelly and ran off with him. A massive manhunt is currently under way. Gabriel Donnelly is a Maori boy with shoulder length dark wavy hair who was wearing dark pajamas when abducted shortly after midday today. Edwards is said to be wearing a black jersey, light-coloured jeans and a grey hoodie. Police are urging anyone who sees Edwards or a child matching Gabriel's description to phone them immediately on 111.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Sunday, 11th August 2013 - 6:04pm