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The father-in-law of Christchurch-raised US volleyball coach Hugh McCuteheon has been stabbed to death at a Beijing tourist spot.
Todd Bachman died from his injuries and his wife Barbara is fighting for her life in hospital.
McCutcheon's wife, Elisabeth Bachman-McCutcheon has been with her parents at a tourist attraction called the Drum Tower in Beijing when they were attacked by a 47-year-old-man who then leapt to his death from the second story of the tower.
Police are now examining the scene on the tower and below.
The family has given few details but says Todd Bachman had been walking behind his wife, Barbara and daughter, Elisabeth, when set upon.
His wife heard the commotion and ran toward him.
The couple's daughter, Bachman-McCutcheon, is married to McCutcheon, coach of the US men's volleyball team. Bachman-McCutcheon played indoor volleyball for the US at the 2004 Athens Games.
Barbara Bachman suffered multiple lacerations and stab wounds in the attack.
After undergoing approximately eight hours of surgery on Saturday, she is in critical but stable condition at a Beijing hospital.
Family members, including her daughter Bachman McCutcheon and son-in-law McCutcheon, are with her.
China is expecting 450,000 tourists for the Olympics and it has deployed 100,000 police to safeguard the games. It's understood that attacks on foreigners are rare.
"It will make people nervous but we are getting round the team today to tell them it is our security review that it's an isolated incident," says Dave Currie, NZ Chef de Mission.
Currie has assured the public there are no concerns for the Kiwi team. He called the stabbing a freak attack and from all information believes the offender had no links to the victims.
Olympic officials say security will be tightened.
"Beijing is a safe city but unfortunately not immune to violent acts. We will strengthen security in scenic spots," says Wang Wei, Vice President Olympic Organising Committee.
Meanwhile, the United States Olympic Committee says it's saddened to confirm the death of Todd Bachman who was from Lakeville, Minnesota.
Personnel from the US Olympic Committee and the United States Embassy are assisting the Bachman family at the hospital.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families, and the United States government has offered to provide any assistance to family needs," says US President George Bush.
Local law enforcement authorities believe the assailant acted alone. The Bachmans were not wearing apparel that identified them as relatives of members of the US Delegation at the time of the attack.
"It is impossible to describe the depth of our sadness and shock in this tragic hour," says US Olympic Committee Chairman Peter Ueberroth.
"Our delegation comes to the Games as a family, and when one member of our family suffers a loss, we all grieve with them. Our thoughts, prayers and deepest condolences are with the Bachman and McCutcheon families."
Family members have asked the media and public to respect their need for privacy during this difficult time.
The USOC says it has been in contact with the International Olympic Committee and the Beijing Organising Committee and both groups have offered their full assistance.
McCutcheon went to the states in 1990 to play college volleyball and became coach in 2005. His team is the gold favourite in Beijing.
McCutcheon is not on the bench on Sunday for the US Men's Volleyball Team's opening game versus Venezuela. However the team extend their support.
"We're banding together as a team to lift up the Bachmans and McCutcheons. We are a family, and we'll get through this together as a family," says Rob Browning, US Men's Olympic Volleyball Team Leader.
