Manawatu Standard

Questions into unexplaine­d death continue

- Maxine Jacobs

The detective working to uncover the final moments of aman who was found dead in the centre of

Palmerston North is urging people with informatio­n to come forward.

The body of

Owen Charles

Wildbore-brumby,

40, was found in a garden in Te Marae o Hine/the Square beside Palmerston North City Council chambers on February 16 by a passerby.

Wildbore-brumby’s death was still being investigat­ed, classed as unexplaine­d until autopsy results could determine his cause of death.

Detective Carl Newton, acting CIB supervisor, said it was vital for anyone with informatio­n in relation to Wildbore-brumby’s death, or his whereabout­s in the days prior to the discovery of his body, to come forward.

Officers are trying to trace his movements in the three-day window from the last confirmed sighting of Wildbore-brumby on the night of Saturday, February 13, to midday on Tuesday, February 16, when he was found.

‘‘We know Owen was in The Square that night, we know others would have been there, and he would have been seen.’’

About 15 people had come forward with informatio­n they believed relates to the case that police have been following up, he said.

‘‘I would hope given how distinctiv­e he is, he would have been seen by people,’’ Newton said.

If a case was a homicide, it is common to bring in people from the wider central policing district or further to assist with the investigat­ion.

But Newton said: ‘‘It’s being resourced from within Palmerston North police.’’

‘‘No one from outside of town has been brought in. There are three general squad investigat­ion teams, and we’re using staff within them.’’

Anyone with informatio­n pertinent to the case is encouraged to phone 105 and quote file number 210217/3172, or call Crimestopp­ers anonymousl­y on 0800 555 111.

A Givealittl­e page has been set up forwildbor­eBrumby’s friend and family to purchase amemorial plot and plaque. As of yesterday afternoon $160 had been raised of its $1500 target.

 ??  ?? Owen Wildbore-brumby cleaning up the Dxrminiatu­re train engine in 2010 at Victoria Esplanade.
Owen Wildbore-brumby cleaning up the Dxrminiatu­re train engine in 2010 at Victoria Esplanade.

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