Mystery still surrounds the death - sometime between July 26 and Friday July 29 - of 32 year-old Lee Ross McMurdo who was found in the back yard of his State Highway 16 property between Kumeu and Helensville.
But his Australian-based parents, Bruce and Sue McMurdo, are confident that the Helensville community they lived and worked in for years will provide Police investigators who've spent the past three weeks combing his property for clues, with answers about who killed their son and why.
Today Lee's parents met with media at their son's former home to appeal for information and to provide some context to the life of the man who was left out in the cold.
"Lee died a violent death and, although he appeared to be on the wrong side of the tracks when he was killed, it wasn't always so," Bruce McMurdo said.
"He fathered three wonderful children, he was a skilled golfer and was well loved and liked by many. But, like many others these days, he got caught up in a drug scene and compromised all he'd worked for.
"That doesn't mean he deserved to die the way he did. It does mean that those who know how and why he died need to help Police by providing information so that our communities can be protected from such killers."
Detective Inspector Greg Cramer said the two week scene examination of the three-bedroomed home and its surrounds had confirmed that Lee McMurdo's wallet and a large, flat-screen TV were missing from the property.
"Other items may have been taken too but certainly if anyone recollects finding a discarded wallet or a bank card in Lee's name, they need to contact us on 0508 00 MANU - 0508 006268. [note, this is the correct number]
"Similarly, if anyone has been sold a cheap 'LG' brand, 50" Plasma TV, or you know of someone who recently acquired a free one, let us know. You can always call 0800 Crimestoppers [0800 555 111] if you want to pass information on anonymously."
ENDS
Issued by Noreen Hegarty
Auckland City Police Communications Manager
Ph 09 302 6947 or 0274-951-589