Missing person's case upgraded to homicide

Police say Raymond Piper died a violent death. Photo / Supplied

Police say they have evidence Kapiti man Raymond Piper has died a violent death, after the discovery of a vehicle linked to his disappearance.

Mr Piper has been missing for more than a month.

A dark green Mazda Marvie linked to the case has been found at a Turakina address, south of Wanganui, Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Oxnam said today.

The vehicle was being examined, and the case had been upgraded to a homicide investigation, he said.

"I can now say that we have evidence that (his) death was violent," Mr Oxnam said.

"I am appealing for sightings of this vehicle from Saturday 15 May and every day after that. The vehicle was last seen in the Paraparaumu area on the morning of the 15th."

Police know the vehicle arrived at Turakina between Monday May 24 and midnight Thursday May 27.

- NZPA