Paeroa sudden death release 1
18 June 2012
Waikato Police investigating the sudden death of a man in Paeroa early this morning are awaiting results of a scene examination and post-mortem to determine the course their enquiries will take.
Rural Field Crime Supervisor, Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Whitehead, said Police and ambulance staff were called to an address in the town shortly after 6am.
"On arrival it was established a male, believed to be aged 57, had died and one of the priorities for investigators right now is completing a formal identification of the man.
"At this stage we believe the man is linked to a nearby business and this will be confirmed as the identification process is completed."
Mr Whitehead said like any situations of this nature the man's death would be treated as suspicious until such time as there was information to hand that proved this was not the case.
"A Police and ESR scene examination is currently underway and this, coupled with the findings of a post-mortem examination to be carried out in Auckland tomorrow, should give us a clearer picture of just what we are dealing with."
Mr Whitehead said investigators wanted to hear from anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious in the centre of Paeroa overnight or early this morning and anyone with any information should contact the Paeroa Police on 07 862 8744.
Alternatively information can be left anonymously with Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
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