‘I’ve got nothing to hide’ says friend

One of the last people to see slain Southland man Dale Watene alive says she has ‘‘nothing to hide’’ and is doing everything she can to help catch his killer.

It comes as police search Sandi Graham’s home in Otautau, 40 kilometres northwest of Invercargill, for the second time.

Watene had drinks with Graham, who he’d been seeing, at the Sorn St property on April 16, a day after his 40th birthday.

He apparently left there in the early evening to go and buy more alcohol, but never returned.

Police launched a homicide investigation after they found his body hidden in the Longwood forestry block, an area frequented by hunters and trampers, on Wednesday last week.

It appears his killer or killers have tried to cover their tracks.

On Wednesday, Graham told Stuff she had nothing to do with Watene’s death and was doing everything she could to help police.

Two people were at her home and witnessed him leave to buy alcohol on April 16, but she would not say who they were, as she didn’t want them to be subject to public scrutiny.

‘‘I’ve got nothing to hide. We all want to know who’s done this.

‘‘He was a dearly beloved man to all of us. He treated my children like a dad.’’

Graham said people had recently threatened to burn down her home, and she feared for the safety of her family.

She declined to further.

Police began searching Graham’s home for a second time on Wednesday and were still there

comment early yesterday afternoon.

They have also returned to a house on Papatotara Road, near Tuatapere, about 30km from Otautau, where one of her associates, George Hyde, lives.

Investigators were seen closely examining bricks at that property. It’s unclear why.

Detective Senior Sergeant Stu Harvey, the officer in charge, said: ‘‘We cannot comment on specifics of these warrants.’’

Stuff has reported the last call made using Watene’s cellphone was about 9.30pm on April 16, but the intended recipient, believed to be Graham, didn’t answer.