Man dies before police can quiz him

POLICE investigating a homicide in a northern Wellington suburb want to speak to people who were at family gatherings in the street where the victim was found wounded.

The 49-year-old was found lying beside the road with head injuries, in Rossiter St, Linden, late on Saturday night.

The man was taken to Wellington Hospital where he died early yesterday morning, prompting police to upgrade their assault investigation to a homicide.

Police had not been able to interview him before he died, Detective Senior Sergeant Grant Ferguson said. ‘‘He wasn’t able to speak to us.’’ Ferguson said police were aware of two ‘‘family gatherings’’ in Rossiter St the night the man was found, and they wanted to speak to anyone who attended.

The victim had been seeing friends in the street during the evening and was found lying on the street ‘‘several houses along’’ from the property he had been visiting.

‘‘Part of the investigation is focusing on people who were present on Rossiter Street, Linden, on that night. We’re seeking the public’s help to identify or come forward if you were in that area at the time,’’ Ferguson said.

‘‘This is devastating news for the victim’s family who have just lost a son, a brother and a father, heading into what should be a joyful occasion.’’

Police and ESR scientists were investigating.

A neighbour, who

gave

her name only as Olivia, said her home and four others – two houses and two other units – were inside the police cordon on Monday and there was a crime scene tent at the end of her driveway, outside a back unit.

Since the assault, she had seen all but one of her neighbours, whose house had a police tent outside.

Asked whether police had any suspects or an idea of where the assault occurred, Ferguson said: ‘‘We are looking at all possibilities and speaking to all the people that were in the vicinity at the time that will help us build a picture of what the circumstances leading to the injuries are.’’

Police said they could not yet name the victim as his family, including some who lived overseas, were being informed of his death.