In 2020, Dunedin doctor Venod “Vinny” Skantha was jailed for life with a minimum non-parole period of 19 years for murdering teenager Amber-Rose Rush. In 2018 the 16-year-old said she was going to police and the defendant’s Dunedin Hospital bosses with allegations of Skantha sexually assaulting young women and providing alcohol to minors. Skantha’s job was already in jeopardy after he had been given a final warning for serious misconduct — the new claims would likely have ended his career. To keep the teenager quiet, Skantha went to her property, entered the house and stabbed her to death in her bed. Amber-Rose was the youngest of three children and according to her mother Lisa-Ann, the “glue” that held the family together. Tragically, just months after Amber-Rose died, her mother died in a suspected suicide. In this episode of Herald podcast A Moment In Crime, senior journalist Anna Leask looks back at the life and death of Amber-Rose. The episode also explains the death of Skantha in prison the day after an appeal against his conviction failed.

This episode includes graphic descriptions of violent acts, which some listeners may find distressing or triggering.

A Moment In Crime is written and hosted by Leask, who specialises in crime and justice reporting. She joined the Herald in 2008 and has worked as a journalist for 20 years. This episode was produced by Leask and NZME audio engineer Alastair Boyes.

Episodes of A Moment In Crime are usually released monthly.

If you have a crime or case you would like to hear more about, email anna.leask@nzme.co.nz