The Herald’s earlier coverage of Fiona Bakulich’s offending stated “several” bodies were placed in bags instead of the coffins that had been paid for. The coverage has been amended to clarify that the Herald spoke to two families who claimed Bakulich placed their loved ones in bags within unlined coffins.
The Herald acknowledges Bakulich was only sentenced in relation to one charge of interfering with human remains in relation to one body. Amendments have also been made to clarify that Bakulich’s other offending related to fraudulent behaviour in connection with burials.
A second arrest has been made in the investigation into allegations of inappropriate handling of burials at a West Auckland cemetery.
It is the second arrest during Operation Lola, a police investigation to examine complaints into bodies that were disinterred after flooding in early 2023.
It comes after former Tipene Funerals employee and Casketeers star Fiona Bakulich admitted to charges of mishandling human remains and obtaining by deception in a surprise plea in the Auckland District Court at the beginning of the month.
