The Unexplained Death of a New Brighton Local: Episode 6: A Suspect Alibi Unravels
The contents of Nigel's wallet and a visit from Nigel's close friend Cindy bring her alibi under scrutiny, as Krystal's search for the truth intensifies and suspects emerge.
The Story So Far: On the night of 24 March 2021, Nigel Bom boarded a First Direct taxi bound for home. This was the last time his mother Debbie would see her son alive. Staff from the Otautahi Community Housing Trust found his decomposing body in his flat almost a full week later. Prone to seizures, Nigel’s family believed his death had been a medical event. On 6 April at a reception in Debbie’s home, that story crumbled like sand, washed away by allegations of foul play and a drug overdose. For Nigel’s sister, Krystal, it was the beginning of her search for justice and her brother’s killers. Cindy was the first of 4 people who came under the spotlight. A longtime friend of Nigel, she would prove an elusive obstacle in the Bom family’s path to the truth.
Nigel Bom as a boy (pictured right)
Cindy had known the Bom family for about 25 years and Krystal claimed that she and Nigel had been intimate with each other. But in the early days of her search, Cindy’s erratic behaviour had brought her to Krystal’s attention.
Cindy’s Alibi
Over Facebook, Krystal asked her where she had been when Nigel died. Cindy said she had been away around that time for 2 weeks. She had told the same story to Debbie and said “she was at the West Coast”. Cindy’s alibi would prove brittle with other information throwing it into doubt.
Cindy Visits Nigel’s Flat
While Nigel’s sister Hayley was cleaning up his flat, Cindy arrived. Among the items she picked up from his spare room was a handbag containing two needles. The bag was located next to a towel that was stained with an unknown blue substance. Krystal says Cindy also took back a black jacket. Police had photographed the jacket on Nigel’s couch near his body. If Cindy had been away, what were her things doing in his flat?
Nigel’s wallet would also create doubts about her alibi.
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