As well as being favoured fishing spot - including for Mr Beale - the Grange Rd reserve where he was found is a popular area for dog walking, cycling, and other recreational activities.
Early in the investigation, Detective Inspector Mike Foster said police were seeking to identify three Maori men seen at the beach that night - the teenager arrested yesterday had been part of this group.
Police did not believe the 19-year-old had known Mr Beale prior to the attack.
"We believe that one of the males loosely knew him [Mr Beale] through the Haumoana area but the other two males as we understand it didn't know him previously," he said.
All three men had been spoken to, but as of yesterday there were no charges laid against the other two.
It was believed the trio had been fishing at the popular spot that night, and had "come and gone throughout the evening".
The attack left Mr Beale with serious head injuries. While police had an idea of the motive, they could not comment further as the matter was before the courts.
"Needless to say it was a violent and vicious attack causing the head injuries which later killed [Mr Beale]," Mr Foster said.
Yesterday Mr Beale's family declined to comment.
Mr Foster said a police family liaison officer had spent some time with his family today, who were "relieved that an arrest has been made".
While he said he hoped the arrest brought closure to the Haumoana community, it would only provide "partial closure" to the Beale family.
"The family are a really tight-knit family and obviously the loss of a son and brother is devastating."
"We're just thrilled that we could close this one for the family and also the community of Haumoana."
The 19-year-old will appear in Hastings District Court today.
