Police investigation into James Butler homicide in Whanganui ongoing

Police divers searched the Whanganui River after James Butler's death. Photo / Stuart Munro

Police are revealing little about their investigation into the death of James Butler in Whanganui, other than to say it is ongoing.

Butler, 53, was found dead at a Wikitoria Rd property on April 22.

Another man in his 50s was found seriously injured at the property and taken to Whanganui Hospital.

The latest inquiry by the Whanganui Chronicle about how the homicide investigation was going received a one sentence response from Police: "the investigation is ongoing".

Police did not respond to questions about whether anyone has been arrested or charged in relation to the investigation or whether police are looking for a specific person or persons.

The police dive squad searched the Whanganui River a few days after Butler's death in the hope of finding discarded weapons.

At the time, a spokeswoman said police could not comment on the outcome of the river search "for operational reasons".

Police have said Butler's death was not the result of a random attack and the people involved in the incident were known to each other.

In May Detective Inspector Ross McKay told the Chronicle police were following strong lines of inquiry.

"The investigation is large and complex and will take some time," he said.