KEY POINTS:
Police investigating the brutal death of a Dunedin teenager in a Christchurch park want to speak to two men seen in the area late on the night before he died.
Two men have been charged with assaulting Shaun Martin Finnerty, 16, whose body was found with severe facial injuries in Auburn Reserve, Upper Riccarton suburb, last Wednesday.
Homicide investigation head Detective Inspector Greg Williams said today police had received a "great response" from the public during their inquiries.
Police now wanted to speak to a man seen pushing a supermarket trolley and another riding a mountain bike who were seen around the BP service station near the reserve about 10.30pm last Tuesday.
"Both men were seen talking to each other for several minutes before the man with the trolley walked off in the direction of Ilam Rd and Church Corner, followed by the man on the mountain bike shortly after," Mr Williams said.
The mountain bike the second man was riding was coloured bright orange.
Mr Williams said it looked "new and expensive" with suspension on the rear wheel.
Both men were described as Maori or Polynesian, aged in their mid-20s. They were about 170cm tall, of solid build and "dressed scruffily".
Mr Williams said there was no suggestion either man was connected to Mr Finnerty's death.
"They were, however, near to the area where Shaun died so it is important that they are located and spoken to," he said.
Two men have been remanded in custody charged with assaulting Mr Finnerty the day before his body was found.
Sonny Avon Rehu, unemployed, who turns 30 next week, and Thomas Tihema Christie, 23, also unemployed, have been remanded to appear in Christchurch District Court again this Friday.
When Christie appeared in court on Saturday, crown prosecutor Pip Currie told of three separate assaults witnessed by different people on Mr Finnerty last Tuesday.
She said it was likely Christie would face "more serious charges".
- NZPA
