Head injuries spark homicide inquiry

Police and forensic scientists at work in London St where the man was found. Photo / Alan Gibson

Hamilton police want to hear from anyone who saw a middle-aged man in slippers who was attacked in the city on Saturday night.

The man was found dead near a public toilet yesterday morning.

Detective Inspector Lance Burdett said the man had yet to be identified.

Understood to be a Pakeha in his late 50s or early 60s, he had short, grey hair.

He was wearing light-tan pants, a light-blue jacket with woollen sleeve cuffs, a dark-brown jersey and the slippers.

The victim was lying on his back with head injuries and was unresponsive when a street sweeper found him around 6am near public toilets on London St in the central business district.

Later, a police cordon was put in place as scientists from the Institute of Environmental Science and Research searched for clues.

Mr Burdett said inquiries at the scene today would be boosted by the arrival of an Auckland-based specialist search team.

"The man's identity is still to be established and a focus for the inquiry team conducting the area canvas will be in trying to determine his identity.

"We would like to identify him so that we can advise his family and are appealing for anyone with any information to contact the Hamilton police."

Mr Burdett said there were no indications that the man had been to Saturday night's All Blacks versus Wales test match in the city.

"There are some head injuries, which I don't want to discuss at this stage," said Mr Burdett.

He said closed-circuit television cameras from nearby buildings might provide clues for the investigation.

A post-mortem examination on the man's body is expected to be completed today in Auckland.

"We would like to identify this man so that we can advise his family, and are appealing for anyone with any information to contact the Hamilton CIB on (07) 858-6200."

Mr Burdett said while investigators would prefer to speak to people directly, information could be left anonymously on the Crimestoppers crimeline, 0800-555-111.

- With NZPA