Man died in 'gruesome' circumstances

A 23-year-old man whose body was found on an Otago beach yesterday suffered "gruesome" blunt force trauma injuries to his head, hands and arms, a post mortem has revealed.

A homicide investigation was launched after the man's body was found just before 8am in the Blueskin Bay Estuary near the township of Warrington, about 20km north of Dunedin.

Detective Senior Sergeant Kallum Croudis said a post-mortem last night revealed the man died from the injuries to his head.

"Police have found a weapon which they believe was involved in the man's death but are unable to give details of it at this stage," Mr Croudis said.

"They are keeping an open mind in respect of other weapons that might have been involved."

Police were yet to formally identify the man but believed they knew who he was.

They were trying to ascertain his movements in the 24 hours before his death and were also interested in sightings of a White Mazda 626 sedan, registration PK4943, that was taken from Dunedin on the evening of Thursday 14 April.

It was found about noon today on State Highway 1 south of Moeraki, near the Shag Point turn-off. The vehicle would be forensically examined, Mr Croudis said.

"We would also like to talk with any residents in the Warrington and Coast Road areas north of Dunedin who may have seen any suspicious vehicles or people in the locality overnight on Thursday evening and early Friday morning," he said.

People with any sightings of suspicious cars or people in the area, including the movements of the Mazda, should contact Dunedin police on 03 471 4800.

"We are continuing to advance our inquiries by talking to a number of people who knew the man, who has died in what appear to be gruesome circumstances," Mr Croudis said.

Waikouaiti Coast Community Board member Geraldine Tait, who lives in Warrington, said the community had been shocked to hear of the homicide.

"You always like to think this would happen somewhere else. Actually, you'd like to think it wouldn't happen at all," she told the Otago Daily Times.

"This has brought the modern-day horrors into our community."

It was not uncommon for people to walk alone on the popular beach, Ms Tait said.

"People are going to be a bit on edge until more is known about this."

She was not aware of any locals who were missing.

About 40 police are working on the case.

- NZPA