Dead Waihi man 'severely beaten'

Murdered Waihi man Phillip Hennah died from a severe beating, police said yesterday.

The officer in charge of the case, Detective Senior Sergeant Glenn Dunbier, said it was likely some sort of weapon was used.

"It is apparent there was some commotion in the early hours of the morning - swearing and yelling."

It was raining off and on and most people would have been asleep.

He said investigators were keeping "all avenues open" on both motive and suspects.

"We are covering every base."

The body of 48-year-old Mr Hennah was found in his Silverton Rd back section, out of sight of the house, by his stepdaughter on Saturday afternoon. His wife last saw him alive inside when she went to bed about 2am but woke up later to find him gone.

Mr Dunbier said it was no secret Mr Hennah had a criminal history "of a minor nature".

But he was not regarded as a violent or offensive person.

Mr Dunbier said it was not unusual in a small town like Waihi to have friends and associates from all walks of life, as Mr Hennah did. Some of those were known to the police but they should not be afraid to come forward with information.

"We need to speak to everybody who knew Phillip in order to get some sort of picture of his life."

Police were looking only at the homicide matter.

People were coming forward and those approached by police so far had been helpful.

* Name suppression will be lifted today for the woman charged with murder following the death of six-year-old Molly Rose Macrae at Charlton, near Gore.

Police answering a 111 call found Molly's body on Monday in the farmhouse where she lived.

The Gore woman charged with murder was granted name suppression for 48 hours when she appeared in Invercargill District Court on Monday.