Police seek weapon used in 'ferocious' attack

Matthew Hall performing on stage with his band Backyard Burial. Photo / Supplied

Police are looking for a large knife with a serrated edge, believed to have been used in the brutal fatal attack on Wellington man Matthew John Hall.

Mr Hall, 35, was found by his flatmate stabbed to death in his bed at his Johnsonville home on Tuesday.

He worked as a consumer consultant for Capital & Coast DHB's alcohol and drug services and general adult mental health services as well as singing in a death metal band.

An autopsy showed he died of multiple stab wounds following a "ferocious" attack. It was not known how many people were involved.

Police had searched the house but hadn't found the weapon.

Neighbours living near the Broderick Road house needed to check their properties, bush areas and rubbish bins for the weapon, which may have been discarded by the offender or offenders, Detective Senior Sergeant Donna Howard said.

An area canvas will continue over the weekend, with police door knocking in the Johnsonville area, in order to gather information to piece together the events that led to Mr Hall's death, she said.

Yesterday, the officer in charge of the investigation, Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Thornton said the injuries Mr Hall suffered were among the worst he had seen.

"I've been in the police for 23 years, I've done a number of homicides and when I attended that post-mortem they were some of the most vicious injuries I've ever seen.

"It's a very ferocious and vicious attack on a guy that, from our preliminary reconstruction, was lying on his bed, probably asleep," he said.

Forensic examinations have been conducted at the house and police staff will remain there for several days.

- NZPA