Man killed outside Napier bar named

A bouncer is to appear in Napier District Court today charged with the murder of a man outside a bar early yesterday.

Police today named the victim as James Gregory Scia Scia, 30, who was pronounced dead at the scene, outside the Envy nighclub which had been operating just four months.

A post mortem was being carried-out in Wellington today to determine the precise cause of death, but Napier CIB head Detective Senior Sergeant Bill Gregory said police believed he had died from "trauma" to the head.

Police arrested a 25-year-old man yesterday morning and charged him with murder.

Mr Gregory said Mr Scia Scia spent the night in the company of two women but became separated from them.

The women went into the Envy night club, and Mr Scia Scia attempted to join them just after 2.30am.

He was intoxicated and was denied access, Mr Gregory said.

"There were dozens if not hundreds of people in that area but only a few would have seen what happened," he said.

"We want to speak to those people."

He said several people had come forward already and helped police piece together the events leading up to the death.

First-time bar owner Jamie Ellis, 21, opened Envy as a cafe, lounge bar and nightclub in December.

She said today she had been advised "not to say anything."

- HAWKE'S BAY TODAY