KEY POINTS:
Police were today searching State Highway 50 in central Hawke's Bay today for the weapon used to kill Waipukurau man Mark McCutcheon.
The 34-year-old father of three was fatally stabbed after going to help a woman being beaten by a patched gang member outside the Sandford Arms Hotel in Ongaonga, in central Hawke's Bay, last Friday night.
Mr McCutcheon left in his car and was found dead in the vehicle, in a nearby paddock off State Highway 50 early the next morning.
Police said they had enlisted the help of Mr McCutcheon's friends and family to find the weapon.
The search would begin at Ongaonga and would extend along the main highway to Waipawa.
A 22-year-old Waipawa man has been charged with assaulting Mr McCutcheon and police said further charges were likely.
He was due to appear in the Hastings District Court next Thursday.
Detective Senior Sergeant Dave de Lange of Hastings CIB said police would be looking for any items that might be relevant to the inquiry, such as clothing or weapons.
"It's possible that something may have been discarded along the side of the road and we are keen to find anything that will help us with our inquiry.
"We'd also appeal to the local community to keep an eye out for any unusual items they may come across either on their properties or along the side of the road," Mr de Lange said.
Police were also keen to hear from anyone who had any information about the murder, but might be reluctant to come forward.
"We would encourage anyone who knows anything about this or has seen something that may be relevant, to contact us immediately and in confidence if necessary.
"Any information is helpful, no matter how small it may seem."
Meanwhile, about 800 mourners packed into the Waipawa Town Hall for Mr McCutcheon's funeral yesterday.
An accountant friend of the family, Nick Hume of Waipawa, described the funeral as a mixture of emotion and laughter.
"Mark had a good sense of humour," he said.
The family now wanted some space to put their lives back together, he said.
- NZPA
