Bio

Jordan Nelson was born on January 16, 1999, in New Zealand. He was raised in a complicated family situation. His mother, Tracey Nelson, lived in Napier, while his father, Allan Bryant, had limited contact with him due to a restraining order. Growing up, Jordan moved between living with his mother and residing with his de facto grandfather, Kerry Lock, in Okoki, a rural area in the Taranaki region.

Kerry Lock had known Jordan since he was a baby and became his primary caregiver. This arrangement was formalized through a care and protection order as Jordan was reportedly in need of a stable living situation. This move to Lock's home occurred in October 2011, just a few months before a tragic event changed the lives of many.

Jordan often referred to Kerry Lock as "Granddad." Lock had been with Rosemaree Kurth, who was also an important figure in Jordan's life, for several years. Kurth had three adult children and grandchildren of her own but took on the role of caregiver for Jordan, helping him with schoolwork and everyday tasks. She worked as a caregiver for people with intellectual disabilities and was known for her empathy and understanding.

In school, Jordan attended Waitara High School but faced challenges. He was suspended for smoking marijuana and struggled to adjust to school life. Before this incident, he had also attended Manukorihi Intermediate, where he was considered a fairly typical teenager. Teachers did not notice any significant problems or signs of distress.

Despite his struggles, he reportedly enjoyed rural life. Lock often took him hunting and fishing and encouraged him to be involved in outdoor activities. During this time, Jordan had many normal experiences for a teenager, though there were moments of rebellion and conflict with Kurth, particularly about rules in the household.

Murder Story

On April 15, 2012, Jordan Nelson, a 13-year-old boy, shot his caregiver, Rosemaree Kurth, in Okoki, New Zealand. He used a .22-caliber rifle to fire a shot into the back of her head while she was sitting at the kitchen table, working on a jigsaw puzzle.

After he shot her, Jordan moved her body into a bedroom. He then ransacked the home, taking $16.10 in coins and a carved necklace belonging to his grandfather, Kerry Lock. Following this, he took Kurth's car and drove towards the town of Waitara.

Kerry Lock, Jordan’s grandfather, had been out walking dogs during the shooting. When he returned home, he discovered blood leading from the dining room to the bedroom, where he found Rosemaree’s body. He immediately called emergency services.

Police located Jordan soon after, parked in a residential area of Waitara. They arrested him and noticed blood on his socks. When questioned, he initially claimed he could not remember what had happened but later admitted to shooting Kurth.

Jordan was charged with murder and initially pleaded not guilty but changed his plea just before his trial. On December 20, 2012, he was sentenced to 18 years in prison, making him the youngest convicted murderer in New Zealand. He was allowed to apply for parole after serving six years of his sentence.