Police have launched a homicide inquiry after a 44-year-old Tauranga man died on his birthday from head injuries suffered in a brutal attack at his home.
The Bay of Plenty Times learned yesterday that Gary Clayton Kimura died in Tauranga Hospital last Wednesday.
After questions from this newspaper, Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner confirmed Mr Kimura had remained in a seriously ill condition following the attack on October 5 and had since died.
Mr Kimura, who was initially admitted to Tauranga Hospital, was airlifted to Waikato Hospital about 7pm on the night of the attack, with a life-threatening head injury. He remained in a coma for several weeks but was then transferred back to Tauranga Hospital on November 9.
Mr Turner said four men, three from the Western Bay and an Aucklander, were before the courts facing a charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.