Paekakariki Hill stabbing: Police seek missing shoe

Police are looking for the partner to this brown leather shoe. Photo / Supplied

Police investigating the mysterious murder of Lower Hutt man Matthew Stevens are looking for a shoe missing from his body.

The brown leather shoe sought is the partner to the one pictured.

Stevens, 32, was last seen buying a six-pack of beer at a Lower Hutt supermarket at 10.30pm, November 27.

His body was found the next morning near his white Toyota Corolla in thick bush on a steep slope off Paekakariki Hill Road about 35 kms away.

Police at first thought his car had been abandoned. The inquiry was upgraded to a homicide last weekend when an post mortem examination showed that Stevens had died of stab wounds to his torso.

Police said robbery did not appear to be a motive. The only item missing appeared to be a shoe.

Forensic scientists have spent a week at an Epuni address where Stevens had told his family he was going to visit. They have also examined the location where his car and body were found.

Police ask anyone with information to call 04 381-2000 and ask for the Operation Vintage investigation team.