Fourth and final arrest made following violent death of Boy Taylor in Napier CBD

Boy Taylor, a street-dweller who died in Napier's Emerson St shopping precinct early Wednesday, December 18.

• Police have arrested a fourth man after the death of Boy Taylor in Napier’s CBD.
• A 19-year-old is set to appear in Wellington District Court today, charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
• It comes after police arrested three suspects, aged 21, 33 and 19. They have already appeared in court.

Police have arrested a fourth man in relation to the violent death of Napier man Boy Taylor.

Detective Inspector David de Lange of Eastern District Police said he will be appearing in court today, Tuesday, December 24, charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

This is the fourth arrest to be made and “Police are not looking for anyone else in relation to Mr Taylor’s death,” de Lange said.

Boy Taylor, a street-dweller who died in Napier's Emerson St shopping precinct early Wednesday, December 18.

It comes after police arrested three men, aged 21, 33 and 19 who were jointly charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. They have already appeared in Hastings District Court.

This week de Lange said a post-mortem examination had been completed, confirming 58-year-old Taylor, whose family are from Tangoio, north of Napier, suffered injuries consistent with assault.

Taylor was found about 3.15am on Wednesday on the paving a metre or two from a recess between Pascoes the Jewellers and One NZ in Emerson St, near the intersection with Hastings St.

Police said attempts were made to resuscitate him, but he died at the scene.

Police will be reviewing charges against the four men and de Lange said they cannot rule out further charges including murder.

“While we still have more work to do, we hope that these arrests provide the victim’s family with some degree of comfort at a very difficult time.”

De Lange would like to acknowledge the time and effort put in by the investigation team to identify and arrest those allegedly involved in Taylor’s death.

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