Alex Fisher. Photo / Supplied
A post mortem has confirmed that Alex Fisher - whose body was found near Levin on Thursday - had suffered head trauma.
Police confirmed in a statement this afternoon that a post mortem examination, completed on Friday, had revealed the 10-year-old had suffered head injuries.
But the statement added: "No further information will be given on this, and the actual cause of death is a matter for the Coronial process to establish."
Police expected to provide more information on their investigation into the boy's death on Sunday afternoon.
Alex's body was found at Waitarere Beach on Thursday afternoon.
The Levin boy had been missing since Tuesday.
A large Police investigation - Operation Waitarere - involving staff from throughout the North Island is working through the weekend.
"We've received a reasonable response to the 0800 number we've set up and we encourage anyone who has not yet contacted us with information to do so," Detective Senior Sergeant Neil Forlong said.
"There may still be sightings of Alex or his brother Eric around Waitarere, or the forest and beach area, that we're not yet aware of.
"If you are not sure about what you might have seen please contact us anyway and let Police make that judgement.
"If you are returning to your property in Waitarere this weekend please check for anything unusual or signs of disturbance, or any items missing," said Mr Forlong.
The number is 0800 234 7437. It will be answered from 9am-6pm over the weekend and a message can be left outside these hours.
At the spot where the police cordon had previously been set up, a man who owns a nearby house was silently gazing at a small bouquet of flowers this morning.
He said it was hard to comprehend what happened.
The Horowhenua community that was left in shock after Alex's death is rallying around his devastated family, with a poignant healing ceremony performed on Friday. A vigil will be held tomorrow night.
At yesterday's ceremony 20 people, including senior police, walked from Rua Ave, Waitarere, through a track across the sand dunes to the place where the boy's body was found on Thursday.
Elders performed a karakia near the cordon where investigators continued searching for evidence.
"The ceremony is about clearing the way for our people to be able to come back down here," an iwi spokesman said.
"It's appropriate for us to do, even though the boy wasn't Maori."
Some of those taking part knew Alex's family, and it was a deeply emotional moment for them.
Among those at the blessing was Manawatu area commander Inspector Sarah Stewart, who had led the investigation and broke the news of Alex's death to his family on Thursday.
Yesterday the family spoke about their devastation while expressing gratitude for the community's support.
"As you can imagine, we are devastated by the sudden loss of a beloved son, brother, grandson, uncle, nephew, cousin, classmate, friend, and fellow Scout."
The statement, which Horowhenua mayor Brendan Duffy shared on the family's behalf, went on to thank those who also donated food, money, time and prayers.
"It is really appreciated and has shown the family how terrific our local community and country as a whole is."
While just what happened to Alex is a mystery, a post-mortem examination completed yesterday afternoon has given police new leads, which they did not divulge.
Police confirmed there was one main crime scene.
Detective Senior Sergeant Neil Forlong said an 0800 number had been set up for anyone with information relevant to the investigation to call, in particular, anyone who had returned from a holiday to find their property had been interfered with, or who had discovered that any items were missing.
"We're also interested in anyone who may have found anything unusual in the beach area," he said. "We are still seeking sightings of Alex Fisher and his brother Eric at the start of the week, either together or by themselves."
Although the most obvious focus of the investigation was at the cordon beside Waitarere Beach, police were also seen outside several properties, many of which were unoccupied, across the town yesterday.
In Park Ave, officers spent much of the afternoon at a house and appeared to be inspecting a garage.
Police were earlier investigating possible links between a reported burglary and Alex's disappearance.
A man is being held in custody and will reappear in court next week, where his interim name suppression will be reviewed.
The court earlier heard he could face more charges in relation to Alex's disappearance - police were not willing to discuss what these charges might be.
An acquaintance of the man arrested during the search for Alex told the Weekend Herald how he convinced the accused to walk out of the forest where police were searching for the boy.
The local resident said he knew something was wrong when he heard Alex was missing and decided to go looking in Waitarere Forest.
Police confirmed the acquaintance was present when they arrested the man but were still trying to verify other details.
They have interviewed him and expect to talk to him again.
Tomorrow's vigil will be held at the Waitarere Domain at 7pm.
Notice of the vigil has been posted at a beach noticeboard near the local Four Square dairy where Alex was last seen with his older brother Eric.
"We will unite together as '1 Waitarere' to help share, support each other and comprehend this tragic event," the notice read.
Ohau School principal Kathy Trevena Brown recalled Alex as a boy who enjoyed kapa haka, softball, basketball and water polo.
They had "lost a lovely member of our family".
"Alex was a delightful student who did find some aspects of school life challenging but he was up for it," she said.
She said the school was "so proud of him".
A local man said Alex's death cast a sombre mood over the whole community at a time when Waitarere was normally a happy place with people enjoying the school holidays.
On Facebook a woman who appeared to be a close friend of the family posted her sadness at the loss of Alex.
"Rest easy lil man," she wrote alongside a picture of Alex with her two kids. "... no words can express the loss we're all feeling ... you've definitely left a beautiful imprint on all our hearts. Fly high with your angels to that precious place above."
The 36-year-old died on December 19.