Murder Victim Bashed And Mutilated
New Zealand Police National News Release
9:22pm 9 July 2006

Detectives investigating the murder of an as yet unidentified man found at Owhiro Bay on Wellington's south coast today say he was subjected to a severe beating about the head, had his neck partially severed and his hands cut off.

The man's body, naked from the waist up, was discovered by a walker shortly before 8.30am today. When found, the victim's feet had also been lightly tied together.

The cause of the man's death has yet to be established. Preliminary results from a post mortem tonight reveal however that his horrific injuries included a severe beating to his head in addition to the mutilation.

"The victim had extensive trauma to the head caused by a battering implement of some description," said Detective Inspector Harry Quinn, Wellington CIB. "We're looking for this weapon, and sharp cutting instruments such as a large knife, a machete or a small sword."

Detective Inspector Quinn says a team of police and forensic experts have spent all day at the scene which will continue to be guarded overnight. Officers will be back in the Owhiro Bay and Red Rocks area tomorrow morning, conducting further land and sea searches.

There is still no lead on the mystery man's identity, a motive for his brutal death or an indication as to who was responsible.

The victim was a male European, possibly aged over 60 years, clean shaven, with grey wispy hair and a bald to heavily receding hairline. He was of light to medium build, weighed 84 kilos, was 179cm tall and had no distinguishing marks such as tattoos or identification on his body.

When found he was wearing black leather slip on style shoes, heavy black socks, and black trousers with a light stripe in them. He also wore a black belt with a badge bearing the words Dunhill set into the buckle.

"We still have a lot of work to do at the scene where he was found but we are becoming more confident that his body was taken in a vehicle to Owhiro Bay and then dumped in the water," Detective Inspector Quinn said. "We can't ignore however that he may have been placed in the water elsewhere."

Detective Inspector Quinn said the victim would have bled profusely from his injuries and the killing scene could have been in a house, building, street or some other property including a boat or vehicle.

"The Owhiro Bay to Red Rocks coastline is rugged but it is a popular walking, running and fishing spot.

"We've talked today to several people who regularly use the area for recreational purposes but we are very keen to hear from others who have been in the Owhiro Bay and Red Rocks area since dusk last night."

A special 0508 hotline - 0508 Red Rocks, 0508 733 762 - number has been set up to take calls from people who can help with information.

Police especially want to hear from those who might recognise the victim's description as a friend, family member or as a neighbour. They also want to hear from anyone who was in the Owhiro Bay area from dusk yesterday, including people walking dogs, running, fishing or driving.

"This is a brutal and macabre murder," Detective Inspector Quinn said. "The extent of the victim's injuries has shocked a lot of people. We want the victim identified and we want to find whoever killed him."

Ends

© Scoop Media