Daniel Hewitt was found about 6am yesterday in an outer suburb of Perth. Photo / supplied
Perth police have launched a homicide investigation into the death of a 40-year-old Auckland man in a laneway yesterday.
Daniel Joseph Hewitt, 40, was found at about 6am in Butler, an outer suburb of Perth.
Mr Hewitt had been living in Butler for about 10 years. His home backed onto the laneway where his body was found.
Perth Now reported that police were treating Mr Hewitt's death as suspicious. There were no obvious signs of injury.
Mr Hewitt's neighbours were shocked by his death and some residents in the area reported hearing raised voices in the early hours of the morning before his body was found.
"I just heard swearing and yelling while I went out to have a cigarette," a resident told ABC News.
"There was about three of them. I just went inside after that and that was it.
Forensic officers are carrying out a scene examination and streets nearby were closed as police canvassed the area for evidence.
According to his Facebook page Mr Hewitt attended Waiheke High School from 1991 to 1996.
Police could not comment further and said the investigation was ongoing.
He takes over from Andrew Coster who stepped down last week to head new social agency.