Christchurch, Wycola Park fatal stabbing: Police launch homicide investigation; man due in court

Police have launched a homicide investigation after a person has died in a fatal stabbing in Christchurch in the early hours of today.

A 36-year-old man is due in Christchurch District Court this afternoon on an assault charge in relation to a man’s death at Wycola Park in the western suburb of Hei Hei at around 2am.

Detective Inspector Nicola Reeves said earlier that one person was in police custody as they launched a homicide inquiry.

Police were called to the car park of Wycola Park in Hei Hei around 1:50am where a man in his late 20s was found dead with stab wounds.

“Inquiries are ongoing to formally identify the man and advise his next of kin,” Reeves said.

Forensic police officers have arrived to start a scene examination. Photo / Pierre Nixon

Another man, aged 36, was found at the location was taken into custody.

Reeves said he is “assisting police with inquiries in relation to an assault”.

“Officers are continuing to doorknock residents in the area as we piece together the events that led to the discovery of the man in Wycola Park carpark,” she said.

“There will continue to be a police presence in the area while investigations are underway.

“As part of our inquiries, police would like to hear from anyone in the local area who may have CCTV or other video footage from overnight which may assist.”

A large cordon surrounds the Wycola Park crime scene. Photo / Pierre Nixon

Reeves said earlier that a number of other people are also assisting police and officers are not seeking anyone else in relation to the death at this stage.

Hato Hone St John said they were notified of the incident at 1.47am and responded with an ambulance, rapid response vehicle and one operations manager.

Cordons remain in place and the public can expect to see an increased police presence in Hei Hei as officers continue their investigation, Reeves added.

A large police cordon is protecting the crime scene this morning.

Police are investigating and have one person in custody. Photo / Pierre Nixon

Four police officers can be seen guarding entrances to the park, along with police tape blocking off a large section.

One police officer can be seen standing outside the park’s hockey turf where a purple tarpaulin, along with a yellow box with items scattered on the floor, is present.

The Hei Hei health centre, along with the Hei Hei community centre, is also taped off inside the cordon.

A detective has just arrived on the scene, while one officer can be seen operating a drone camera. A police tent has also been erected.

A handful of residents have gathered and are standing around the cordon.

One man who lives across the road from the scene told the Herald that he didn’t hear any commotion during the night.

“I didn’t hear or see anything overnight,” he said.

The man was watering his lawn when the Herald approached him.

“I heard it on the radio this morning, so I came out to have a look and see what was going,” he said.

“There haven’t been any problems around this area before, so they must not be from this area.”

The owner of the Hei Hei diary, located just outside of the cordon, said police came into the shop this morning.

“[Police] told me there would be emergency tape around the area as a precaution. I haven’t heard anything about the scene,” he said.

Police said if anyone has information to contact them by phone on 105, or online at 105.police.govt.nz – using “update report”, referencing file number 231222/9398.