Police investigating the death of 30 year-old Mt Roskill welder, Raymond Frank Lelisi, would like to hear from patrons who were at the Spider Bar, Wingate St, Avondale, on Friday night [March 10].
Mr Lelisi was found dead at a relative's New Lynn property on Sunday afternoon. He had been at the Spider Bar on Friday night where he became involved in an altercation in the bar's carpark at about 10.30pm.
One of those involved was described as a Polynesian, 170cm tall, of stocky build with short black hair, possibly in his late 30s. He had a tribal tattoo band on his left arm. He also had a small but distinctive star tattooed next to his nose and was tattooed on the neck.
A post-mortem examination of Mr Lelisi was carried out today but results from it are inconclusive at this stage.
"At this stage we're treating his death as suspicious until we know otherwise," Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Cramer said.
"We'd particularly like to hear from the driver of a mid to late 1990s Nissan Bluebird that sustained a cracked or broken rear indicator lens in the carpark before Mr Lelisi was assaulted and fell to the ground."
Police understand he left the Spider Bar carpark on foot, accompanied by a relative, and went to work the following day. He was last seen alive by relatives at the New Lynn address late on Saturday night and was discovered dead in his bed early Sunday afternoon.
All patrons of the Spider Bar on Friday night are urged to contact Auckland City CIB on 302 6400.
ENDS
Issued by Noreen Hegarty
Auckland City Police Communications Manager
Ph 09 302 6947 or 0274-951-589