KEY POINTS:
Police want to speak to a mystery woman who last night visited the home of a Nelson man found dead on his front lawn with head injuries.
Nicholas William Winter, 26, known as Nick, was found dead by his partner around 10am today.
Mr Winter had left the couple's Abraham Heights flat shortly after receiving a visit at 10.30pm from the unknown woman.
Detective Inspector John Winter (no relation) of Nelson police said Mr Winter had spoken to the woman at the front door and left the house shortly after.
His partner fell asleep and was unconcerned by his absence until she discovered his body on the lawn this morning.
She called the ambulance service, which in turn called the police.
Detective Winter said the inquiry was upgraded to a homicide inquiry after initially being treated as a suspicious death.
He said neither the man's partner, nor a couple living in the adjoining flat heard anything during the night.
The significance or otherwise of the woman's late-night visit was unclear and police would like to speak with her to eliminate her from the inquiry.
"There is evidence he met with his attacker soon after he left the house.
"The indications are he never left the property," Detective Winter said.
Police have sealed off the road close to the property, which is down a small right-of-way.
The body remains at the scene where Environmental Science and Research staff from Christchurch are examining.
A forensic pathologist is expected to conduct a post mortem tomorrow.
Detective Winter said the dead man was from Nelson and was known to police. Until recently he had worked for a local roofing firm but was unemployed at the time of his death.
He said no suspects or motive had been established and police were conducting neighbourhood interviews to reconstruct the man's movements and history.
They were keen to hear from the public and his associates to help build up a picture.
- NZPA
