Dead man had been jailed over toddler's death

Tyrone Box in 2007. File photo / NZPA

A man found dead in a Wanganui park yesterday was a former Mongrel Mob gang associate who was jailed over the death of toddler Jhia Te Tua in a drive-by shooting in 2007.

Wanganui police today confirmed the man, whose body was found by a member of the public in Te Mana Park last night, was that of 26-year-old Tyrone Box.

The Wanganui man was jailed in 2008 for his part in the shooting of 2-year-old Jhia Harmony Te Tua.

Box, who was 19 at the time of the shooting, had been a back-seat passenger in a vehicle from which shots were fired as it drove past the toddler's Gonville home on May 5, 2007.

One of the bullets struck Jhia as she lay sleeping on the couch, killing her instantly.

The following year, Box pleaded guilty to a charge of manslaughter.

They were both sentenced to seven years' in prison.

Police said Box's body was removed from the scene this afternoon and taken to Palmerston North Hospital, where a post-mortem examination will take place tomorrow.

Police hoped to have a clearer picture of how he died after the examination was carried out.

The investigation was ongoing.

Location of Te Mana Park.