Probe after man decapitated
Graphic warning: Community in shock after man, 71, killed after party
A71-year-old man killed in Petone on Friday night was decapitated, police have confirmed. Police announced a homicide investigation after the man was found dead at the Jackson Street Flats shortly before 10pm on Friday.
The local community has expressed shock at the chilling death.
Hutt City Councillor and Petone resident Tui Lewis, confirmed the dead man was Frank Tyson, and said it had been brought to her attention that he was selling synthetic cannabis out of the Housing New Zealand property.
“The sad thing is, if it wasn’t Frank, somebody else is going to be doing it.
“He’d been part of the community for more than 20 years. While I’ve been on council, Frank was never afraid to say, ‘This is what we need, this is what we can do’ and Frank wasn’t afraid to speak up. He always had a strong point of view,” Lewis told Stuff.
She did not think Tyson was a substance abuser, and said he “definitely” wasn’t involved in gangs.
It is understood Tyson died following a party in an apartment in the Jackson Street property on Friday night.
On Saturday, as a result of the police investigation, a 41-year-old man was arrested and appeared in the Lower Hutt District Court on willful damage and drug possession charges.
He was remanded in custody. A post-mortem was being undertaken yesterday and police expect to be able to formally identify him today. A neighbour told the Herald he knew him as “Frankie”.
He would regularly drive friends and neighbours to work or the supermarket for a small fee.
“The guy wasn’t an easy guy to get along with. His jokes were f***ing stale. Everyone still laughed or else he wouldn’t drive you.
“There’s a lot to this f***ing story . . . the guy didn’t have to go out the way he did,” he said.
The neighbour said he’d been crying for the last few days, and that this type of killing was unnecessary.
“This isn’t the cartel. We need to find some sort of justice for the guy,” he said.
“I don’t want to be here anymore . . . that’s not a way for someone to go out.”
The man, who was fearful of being identified, said he was not a “rat”, but “Frankie played with fire”.
He said the killing had nothing to do with gangs.
The scene examination at the Jackson Street Flats is likely to continue for several more days.
Police have clarified that neither the victim nor the 41-year-old man who was arrested on Saturday are gang members.
Police will not speculate on any potential motive for the killing, a spokesperson said.
The arrested man will reappear in the Hutt Valley District Court today. Police would still like to speak with anyone who can assist with information about what happened. Call Wellington Police on (04) 381 2000, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.