‘Three Beautiful Angels Taken Too Soon’: Community Gathers for Emotional Farewell to Children Lost in Sanson House Fire

The Manawatū community is gathering today for what is one of the most heartbreaking funerals the region has faced in recent memory — a farewell to three young siblings whose lives were cut tragically short in a devastating house fire in Sanson on 15 November.

Seven-year-old August, five-year-old Hugo, and one-year-old Goldie Field will be laid to rest this morning at Crossroads Church in Palmerston North, surrounded by grieving loved ones, devastated friends, and a community struggling to comprehend the scale of the tragedy.

The service notice invited mourners to honour the children with colour, asking them to “please wear bright colours,” a gentle reminder of the light and joy the children brought into the world. Described as “three beautiful angels taken too soon,” they are being remembered today not for the circumstances of their deaths, but for the love and laughter they shared with those around them.

The children died alongside their father, 36-year-old Dean Field, in what police are treating as a murder-suicide. Authorities believe Dean killed the children before dying by suicide in the blaze that destroyed the family home. The case remains under investigation.

Their grieving mother, Chelsey Field, who released a statement late last week, said the loss of her children and family home has left her “heartbroken and devastated.” Her words offered a glimpse into the profound emotional impact of the tragedy, describing the children with vivid affection while acknowledging the support she has received from the public.

“This incident has left me heartbroken and devastated. My children did not deserve this,” she wrote. Chelsey also confirmed that her stillborn daughter, Iris, was among the losses, as her ashes were kept inside the home and were destroyed in the fire. The family dog, Marlo, also died.

Her statement has resonated deeply across the country, helping drive an outpouring of compassion. A Givealittle page set up to support her has raised almost $400,000, reflecting the depth of shock and sympathy felt nationwide.

Alongside her grief, Chelsey offered heartfelt tributes to her children.
August, who would have turned eight this week, had been eagerly looking forward to celebrating his birthday with friends. He was described as being “joined at the hip” with his younger brother Hugo, a lively five-year-old who had “made a flying start to school this year.”

Little Goldie, whom Chelsey called her “special little girl,” had already begun to show personality and charm beyond her one year of life. “Her first words were ‘hi’ and ‘dog’,” Chelsey said, adding that Goldie even learned to say “Marlo” before she said “Mum.”

These intimate memories have brought the children’s lives to the forefront of public consciousness, reminding the country that behind the headlines and police investigations were three treasured young lives filled with promise.

Police completed their examination of the property last week and have formally handed it back to the family. Officers cautioned, however, that it may be some time before all answers about what occurred that morning are known. Their investigation remains ongoing, with authorities focused on gathering clarity for the surviving family and the wider community.

The tragedy has sparked widespread reflection across New Zealand, with many taking to social media to share condolences, prayers, and messages of solidarity. Community groups have organised vigils, and local services have offered counselling and mental health resources for those affected.

At today’s funeral, the emphasis is on remembrance, love, and unity. While the events surrounding the children’s deaths are deeply distressing, the service offers families, friends, and community members an opportunity to honour their brief but meaningful lives — and to support a mother navigating unimaginable loss.

As attendees gather at Crossroads Church, the memory of August’s excitement for his birthday, Hugo’s vibrant energy, and Goldie’s first words fills the room with equal parts sorrow and tenderness. Though their lives were short, the legacy of these three children has touched hearts far beyond Sanson.

As the service begins, bright colours fill the space — a symbol of the joy the children brought and a reminder that even in the darkest chapters, love can cast a gentler light.