Police narrow in on killer

Photo / Warren Buckland

Police investigating the brutal murder of a Hastings man three weeks ago have identified a lead suspect in the case.

The Herald on Sunday has learned that the police have narrowed down the search for the killer as they await forensic results from the bloodied home of Douglas Apperley.

Apperley was found in his St Leonards home on April 16.

Detective Senior Sergeant Dave de Lange said Apperley suffered "terrible" head injuries and was stabbed several times in the chest.

"We are waiting for forensic results from DNA, fingerprints and a number of items seized from the house which could have been used as weapons," he said.

The forensic results would be available this week, he said.