Accused Tauranga murderer dies

A Tauranga company director accused of the execution-style murder of a drug dealer has died before he could be tried on the charges.
Police allege Brett Ashby, 51, shot Grant "Granite" Adams up to four times with a semi-automatic pistol at Ashby's Ohauiti property on or about December 14, 2005.
Ashby had been awaiting trial but was released on bail in September on compassionate grounds as he battled with liver cancer. He died at his home on Sunday.
Mr Adams, 29, a P user with gang connections, was known in criminal circles as "Granite". He went missing in December 2005 and his skeletal remains were found buried at a Wairakei geothermal site in 2007 after Tauranga man Craig Cullen led police to the grave.
 Cullen was sentenced to 12 months' home detention last April after admitting a charge of being an accessory after the fact.
A trial date for Ashby had been expected to be confirmed tomorrow.
Head of Tauranga CIB Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner said while the prosecution could not proceed, an inquest into Mr Adams' death would be carried out by Tauranga's coroner at a date yet to be set. 
 
In death notices published yesterday, wife Joanne paid tribute to "an amazing husband and father" and special friend to many people. His brother-in-law Arthur wrote: "Those who knew the diamond (some might say a rough diamond but still a diamond) that sparkled under the steel were privileged."