Former massage parlour searched in mystery injury case

File photo / NZ Herald

Police have searched a former massage parlour as they try to piece together how a man received life-threatening injuries before being left for dead in a central Tauranga alley.

Russell William Munday, 49, remains in a critical condition in Waikato Hospital after he was found with serious head injuries on Devonport Rd at 4.50am on Thursday.

Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner said police were keeping an open mind about how Mr Munday sustained the injuries.

Police and forensic scientists today completed an examination of a building on Devonport Rd that previously housed Karla's massage parlour and a residential unit where they believe Mr Munday's injuries were sustained.

Detectives were also using CCTV footage to track down possible witnesses.

They were looking to speak to all pedestrians and vehicle occupants who were on Devonport Rd, between Elizabeth St and Second Ave, between 2.30am and 5am on Thursday.

Among them are a number of taxi drivers in the area between the Strand and First Ave, and the driver of a maroon or red sedan that drove up Devonport Rd from the Strand about 3.54am.

Police also wanted to speak to anyone who may have found any discarded objects in the central city that could have possibly been used as a weapon.

Mr Murray was described as Maori, of slim to medium build, wearing a dark cap, sunglasses, and dark clothing.