"Even if you think your information might not be relevant, we'd welcome your call so we can make an assessment and build up a picture of the victim's death and establish who was responsible."
As news broke of Donner's death the surrounding community rallied in Flaxmere for a moving blessing ceremony at the site where he was found.
Teary-eyed residents lit candles and remembered a man who was known and loved by many.
It is believed he worked at Crasborn Group on Omahu Rd in Hastings and volunteered at New World helping to return trolleys.
An employee of a local motel, who did not wish to be named, said she grew fond of Donner while he was put up in emergency accommodation at the motel for about six months.
"He was awesome. He was quite respectful, he would always say good morning and ask how my day was. He was happy-go-lucky.
"He was always playing music. If it wasn't playing through his earphones it was playing on his phone. You could always hear his music."
He said he worked at Crasborns and enjoyed an awesome Christmas and New Year's with his family, she said.
"He used to leave in the morning and not come back 'til the afternoon. I saw him every Saturday and Sunday; his days off.
"He'd just sit out on the bbq table to have a smoke with earphones in listening to his music. He'd always have a blue and black backpack, it looked like a camping one."
When she found out there had been a homicide in Flaxmere the woman said she had a feeling she would know the deceased because of how tight-knit the community was.
"I was thinking I must know him but his name wasn't released. He had only just come out of staying at a motel so I don't actually know whether or not he had somewhere to go after that."
She was the death was a "terrible" thing to happen.
"I'm very disgusted and I hope it's not another wasted life on a young one who has done stupid things because they've got nothing better to do but to pick on somebody less fortunate than themselves."
Police have asked anyone with information that may be helpful to contact their dedicated inquiry phone line on (06) 873 0561 or provide details anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.