Missing car a key to farm death mystery

Police want to find this silver Nissan Primera.

Police have determined the unidentified body found in a house gutted by fire near Taupo is that of a man.

Police said dental checks and DNA tests would now be carried out on the body found in the house in Tirohanga, a rural community north of Taupo, on Sunday.

It is not known how the fire started.

Detective Sue Douglas said confirmation that the body was that of a man increased chances of it being 35-year-old Steve George, a farm worker who lived alone at the house.

His employers, who own the house on Paerata Rd, said Mr George was on four days' leave when it burned to the ground.

Police are anxious to locate a vehicle belonging to Mr George.

Sue Douglas said police were concerned that they had failed to find his 1993 grey Nissan Primera saloon.

She said the fact that the car had not turned up after three days increased suspicions about the incident. An investigation into the fire was conducted on Sunday and yesterday, but failed to reveal the cause.

The examination by the Fire Service and a forensic scientist continued last night.

Firefighters from Taupo, Tokoroa and Mangakino attended the blaze, which was discovered by Brian and Alma Aspin about 4am on Sunday.

The couple spotted it from their house on the same farm.

The roof of the 1958 wooden house had collapsed by the time three fire trucks and a water tanker arrived.

Mrs Aspin said she and her husband did not think anyone was in the house and were devastated to learn of the death.

Police have questioned the residents of Tirohanga, which has a population of 220.

Officers want information about the Nissan Primera, which is registered as YO6136.

Officers have asked people with information to contact them at (07) 377- 9320.