Police cautious over murder reward offers

Scott Guy pictured with wife Kylee. Photo / Supplied

Police investigating the death of Manawatu farmer Scott Guy say they are grateful for offers of rewards but will consider them carefully before accepting them.

The Herald on Sunday today reported that the son of slain school teacher Lois Dear is hoping to launch a fundraising programme to put together a reward for anyone who can give information leading to the arrest of Scott Guy's killer.

Mr Guy, 31, was shot dead in the driveway of his Aorangi Rd, Feilding, home as he went to milk the cows in the early morning of July 8.

Kevin McNeil said he wanted to do everything he could to help bring Mr Guy's killer to justice.

"The police have done a hell of a lot of work on this case. They are doing all they can but they've got no leads. I think a bounty could be the key," he told the paper.

McNeil's mother was murdered in her Tokoroa classroom as she was catching up on paperwork in July 2006.

McNeil said he hoped the fund would be open by this Thursday.

Inquiry head Detective Inspector Sue Schwalger said today there had been a number of offers made during the course of the investigation.

"Any offer of a reward needs to be carefully considered so that the investigation is not hampered by misleading information that may take us away from the real focus of this investigation - and that is the successful investigation and prosecution of the person or people responsible for the killing of Scott Guy," she said.

"Police have had a steady flow of information and are following a number of leads.

"A reward phase is always considered for an investigation of this nature. However there are a number of implications, both legal and evidential that have to be centrally managed to achieve the most appropriate outcome."

The reward from Ms Dear's family was expected to include money which was held in a trust fund that was established after she was beaten to death in a classroom at Strathmore School, Tokoroa.

Whetu Te Hiko was later sentenced to life imprisonment with a non-parole period of 18 years for her murder.

- NZPA, NZ Herald staff