Autopsy after man died with mouth duct-taped shut

The death of a Motueka man found with duct tape wrapped across his mouth is being treated as suspicious, although police do not think it was a malicious act.

Michael James McGrath, 51, a sickness beneficiary, was found dead at a Motueka house, 55km northwest of Nelson, about 7.30pm yesterday.

Detective Sergeant Kevin Tiernan said Mr McGrath had had his mouth taped shut by flatmates during a drinking session.

A scene examination and an autopsy were carried out today.

Mr Tiernan said the autopsy was complete but he had not been briefed on it.

"It's not going to change what we're saying at the moment, that we're still treating it as suspicious, we've really got to complete the inquiry and to determine where we go."

The dead man lived in Motueka and was drinking alcohol with his flatmates.

"One of the flatmates put tape across the deceased's mouth but we don't know if this played a part in his death. That's to be determined by the coroner," he said.

The flat occupants had started drinking in the afternoon and had been "horsing around" when they noticed Mr McGrath had stopped breathing.

Mr Tiernan said that what was done was not "malicious violence...it was done as the guys were horsing around.

"It was a consensual act and they've put the tape around this guy's mouth and potentially, as a result of that - it's yet to be confirmed - he's died."

Mr Tiernan said the death was "definitely suspicious, hence our investigation".

Police were taking a cautious approach by referring the death to the coroner, he said.

- NZPA