A gay former Auckland and Queenstown restaurateur, who had just married his partner, is among those who were killed on MH17. Belgian man Benoit Chardome lived in New Zealand for more than a decade. He was maitre d' at Iguacu in the Auckland suburb of Parnell before moving to Queenstown, where he owned the restaurants Bath House and Pasta Pasta. The couple just married last month The 51-year-old moved to Bali six years ago, where he met his Malaysian partner Puput. The couple held a wedding ‘party’ in Bali in early June, before tying the knot in Antwerp recently. Belgian news website sudinfo.be reports the couple were on their honeymoon this week, however Chardome was called back to Bali for work – while his new husband remained in Switzerland with friends. Puput has posted about his heartbreak on Facebook, writing "I love you my honey bunny … You were not only my companion. Also you were a teacher for me. I will never forget your beautiful smile and your face always happy. " The Canggu Club, which Chardome managed in Bali, says he will be missed, and its thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Sunday, 20th July 2014 - 5:49pm