Police knew victim
The last days of a Palmerston North man are being put together as police investigate his killing.
THE Palmerston North homicide victim found on Thursday had run-ins with the law, including a prison escape as a youth.
Police named him as 26-yearold Samuel Peter Culling, also known as Sam Badawi or Samuel Whatuira, whose body was found at 7.30am on Thursday in Taieri Court.
A homicide investigation was launched after his body was reportedly found by a member of the public, who alerted police.
Culling’s family released a statement regarding his death: ‘‘The family are lost for words at the moment, we truly cannot believe this has happened to our Sam. It’s an absolutely horrendous situation and so difficult to fathom.
‘‘We appreciate your thoughts and prayers at this difficult time and thank you for giving us the privacy so we can grieve.’’
Culling prompted a manhunt in 2007 after escaping a youth offending unit at Waikeria Prison, near Te Awamutu, as a 17-year-old.
He also appeared in court on charges related to firearms, burglary, resisting a constable, disorderly behaviour and breaching bail.
In August last year, Culling was sent to prison for 18 months after attempting to evade arrest when he was found sleeping in his car on Shirriffs Rd, Palmerston North.
Culling had warrants out for his arrest, so police blocked the front and back of his car with patrol cars and laid spikes near his tyres. He rammed one of the patrol cars and drove off.
Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Sheridan said police were continuing work towards determining the circumstances surrounding Culling’s death.
The autopsy, conducted in Wellington on Friday, found the man suffered a ‘‘violent death’’, Sheridan said.
‘‘We are unable to provide any further details on the nature of the injury or how it was inflicted.’’
Twenty officers were continuing their work on the investigation, dubbed ‘‘Operation West’’.
It was possible that Culling may have been killed at an unknown location before being left at the Taieri Court scene, Sheridan said.
Culling’s body was discovered on Thursday morning, in a grassed area near the group of flats. The area was cordoned off and now scene investigations have been completed.
A blessing was performed at the scene once the examination was complete.
His body was removed from the scene late Thursday afternoon.
Officers are supporting and speaking with Culling’s family and friends to establish his movements in the days leading up to his death.
‘‘We want to speak with anyone who had any contact, or saw Samuel in the past few weeks,’’ Sheridan said.
Police are also appealing for information on possible sightings of suspicious behaviour in the West St area between 10pm on Wednesday, August 5, and 7am the next day.