Around 40 police staff including specialist forensic and scene search teams are continuing to search an area at the Blueskin Bay Estuary behind Warrington Beach, north of Dunedin, where the body of a 23-year-old man was discovered by two members of the public shortly before 8am yesterday (Friday 15 April).
Seven specialist scene search staff arrived at midday today to assist with a grid search of an area around where the man's body was found. ESR staff continue to carry out a scene examination and to secure forensic evidence.
Police have found a weapon which they believe was involved in the man's death but are unable to give details of it at this stage. They are keeping an open mind in respect of other weapons that might have been involved.
A post-mortem examination undertaken last night revealed that the 23-year-old man suffered numerous blunt force trauma injuries to his head, hands and arms. The head injuries proved to be fatal.
Police are working to formally identify the man but do have positive lines of inquiry. They are also trying to ascertain his movements in the last 24 hours he was alive.
Police are also interested in sightings of a White Mazda 626 Saloon, registration number PK4943, that was taken from Dunedin on the evening of Thursday 14 April. It was found around midday today on SH1 south of Moeraki, near the Shag Point turn-off. The vehicle would be forensically examined, Detective Snr Sgt Kallum Croudis said.
"We would also like to talk with any residents in the Warrington and Coast Road areas north of Dunedin who may have seen any suspicious vehicles or people in the locality overnight on Thursday evening and early Friday morning," he said.
People with any sightings of suspicious cars or people in the area, including the movements of the White Mazda 626 Saloon are asked to contact Dunedin Police on 03 471-4800.
"We are continuing to advance our inquiries by talking to a number of people who knew the man, who has died in what appear to be gruesome circumstances," Detective Snr Sgt Croudis said.
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