Angel Rangitaawa had been at an exhibition opening in Palmerston North. A transgender woman who was found with horrific injuries in Palmerston North is in a stable condition in Wellington Hospital's intensive care unit. Anahera “Angel” Rangitaawa was found lying on the ground near the entrance to the Copthorne Hotel between midnight and 1AM on Saturday – after she left the opening of a friend’s art exhibition. The Aucklander was initially treated at Palmerston North Hospital and later transferred to Wellington, where family members are at her bedside. They are distraught, but appreciative of the outpouring of support. Among Rangitaawa’s injuries are bleeding and swelling of the brain, multiple skull and face fractures, broken eye sockets and a broken shoulder blade. Rangitaawa’s family and friends believe she was attacked. Police are investigating and Detective Johnny Oram from Palmerston North CIB says at this stage Rangitaawa’s injuries are “unexplained”, and that “it would be premature to speculate on how and why the injuries were received”. Anyone who saw what happened around the intersection of Fitzherbert Avenue and Ferguson Street between midnight and 1am on Saturday is asked to call the Palmerston North Police Station on 06 361 3600 and ask for Detective Johnny Oram. Rangitaawa is well-known and loved in the glbti community, and friends say she is loving, caring and kind, and an ever-smiling, beautiful person.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Monday, 23rd June 2014 - 10:22am