Kapiti Police have seized a red to maroon coloured 1993 Nissan Bluebird car as one of interest to the investigation into the death of Raymond 'Son' Piper.
The 23-year-old Paekakariki man went missing from Paraparaumu on Saturday morning, 15 May. Police believe he has been violently killed and want information that will help find his body or the person or people responsible for his death.
Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Oxnam, head of the homicide investigation team, said police executed a search warrant at a Paraparaumu address yesterday to seize the Nissan Bluebird.
Police believe the Nissan Bluebird was parked with a red 2006 Holden Commodore SS in Otaihanga Domain, between Paraparaumu and Waikanae on Monday morning, 19 April - four weeks before Raymond went missing.
"We can't rule out that the Nissan Bluebird was linked in some way to Raymond and his disappearance on 15 May," Detective Senior Sergeant Oxnam said. "Forensic specialists are examining the vehicle but it is too early to say if anything of relevance has been found."
This is the second vehicle to be held by police as part of the homicide investigation. On Tuesday 8 June police recovered from a property in Turakina a green Mazda Marvie four wheel drive registration WC9996. Mr Piper was seen travelling as a passenger in the Mazda Marvie on Saturday morning, 15 May, the day he went missing from his partner's Eatwell Avenue home.
Police are not prepared to give more details about the vehicles or people associated with them. Police stress however that the business operators of properties from where both vehicles were recovered are not involved in the inquiry.
"There has been some abuse directed towards a Paraparaumu business and a property owner in Turakina. This is unnecessary and unhelpful."
Police say their inquiries suggest that a red to maroon 1993 Nissan Bluebird may have been in the Turakina area south of Wanganui at the same time as the green Mazda Marvie. Police are particularly interested in sightings of both vehicles anywhere between Paraparaumu and Turakina from 15 May through to 27 May.
"We're making good progress but we need more details about vehicle sightings and people to help us find Raymond's body and those who were involved in his violent death," Detective Senior Sergeant Oxnam said.
Police continue to follow up all calls from the public. There has been a very good response from calls following appeals for information about vehicle sightings.
"We appreciate the help we're getting but we need more information. We're convinced there are people out there who can tell us what we need. We urge people to think about how Raymond's family are feeling and to urgently contact us on our 0800 FIND RAY number."
Police are particularly interested in:
• Did you see a red to maroon coloured 1993 Nissan Bluebird at Otaihanga Domain between 10am and midday on Monday 19 April?
• Did you see who was with it?
• Did you see or have any information about a car matching the Nissan Bluebird's description in the Paraparaumu, Kapiti Coast, Horowhenua, Manawatu or Turakina areas in the days following Raymond Piper's disappearance?
• Did you see anyone with the vehicle or have information about people who might be associated with the car?
• Did you see the green Mazda Marvie four wheel drive registration WC9996 in Paraparumu on Saturday morning 15 May or in the Kapiti Coast, Horowhenua, Manawatu and Turakina areas in mid to late May?
• Do you have any information about people who may have been with this vehicle?
• Police also want to know about a red 2006 Holden Commodore believed to have been parked at Otaihanga Domain on the morning of Monday 19 April?
Anyone with information that can help the inquiry is urged to call 0800 FIND RAY; email Findray@police.govt.nz or text 027 241 1394.
Photos the vehicles are on the police website: www.police.govt.nz/news
Released by:
Kaye Calder
Senior Media Adviser: District Liaison
Public Affairs, Police National Headquarters
Mobile: 027 241 6305