Police investigating the death of Paekakariki man Raymond 'Son' Piper want public help with sightings of two late model cars that were at the Otaihanga Domain four weeks before the 23-year-old went missing.
Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Oxnam, investigation head, said the cars and people associated with them are of interest to police. The two cars are described as:
• a red 2006 Holden Commodore SS saloon
• a deep red or maroon coloured 1993 Nissan Bluebird saloon.
Detective Senior Sergeant Oxnam said that as a result of inquiries police believe that both vehicles and two or more people with them were parked at Otaihanga Domain mid to late morning on Monday, 19 April - a month before Raymond Piper disappeared. Otaihanga Domain, is off Makora Road, between Paraparaumu and Waikanae. Police believe the cars were parked near a toilet block at the Waikanae River end of the park, sometime between 10am and midday on Monday, 19 April.
"We'd like to know more about these cars and who might have been with them. This information could be vital to us as we continue our hunt for the person or people responsible for Raymond's violent death," Detective Senior Sergeant Oxnam said. "We can't rule out a connection between the cars, anyone with them and Raymond's subsequent disappearance, " he said. "We don't believe Raymond was at the Domain that morning."
Police are not prepared to speculate on the reason for the cars' presence at the Domain on 19 April or their relevance to the inquiry.
Otaihanga Domain is a popular recreational area used by walkers, joggers, cyclists and other members of the public.
• Were you at the domain on Monday, 19 April - particularly mid to late morning?
• Did you see either vehicle or people with them?
• Were you travelling in or around the Domain area on that Monday and see or overhear anything that may help the police inquiry?
• Can you tell us more about the vehicles and who is associated with them?
Police are also still interested in the movements of the dark green Mazda Marvie registration WC9996 that Raymond or 'Son' was seen in on Saturday morning, 15 May, the day he disappeared. This vehicle, which is being forensically examined by ESR and police specialists, is known to have been in the Paraparaumu, Kapiti Coast, Horowhenua, Manawatu and Turakina areas, south of Wanganui, between 15 May and 27 May. The vehicle was found at a Turakina property on 8 June.
"Police are very pleased with the information we've received from the public so far and we are following up all possible lines of inquiry," Detective Senior Sergeant Oxnam said. "We know that there are people in the community who can tell us more about what happened to Raymond and where his body might be. "We urge you to do the right thing and contact us. I want to reassure people who might be worried about talking to us that they have nothing to fear and that we can ensure their safety."
Anyone with information should phone 0800 FIND RAY, email Findray@police.govt.nz or text 027 241 1394. Ends Released by: Kaye Calder Senior Media Adviser: District Liaison Public Affairs, Police National Headquarters Mobile: 027 241 6305 or email: kaye.calder@police.govt.nz
