Relative charged with Hamilton murder

Hamilton police attend the scene of the homicide. Photo / Christine Cornege

Police are still searching for the weapon a 19-year-old allegedly used to kill a 38-year-old man who was at his Hamilton home yesterday.

Officers had been speaking with the teenager's family and searched a number of Auckland properties overnight before the accused handed himself into Counties Manukau Police this morning.

The man is charged with murdering Hamilton man Sedrick Tilley Tiatia on Tuesday afternoon. Mr Tiatia had previously been in a relationship with a woman who lived at the Winstone Ave address where he was fatally attacked.

A mother and a number of other children lived at the house with the accused.

Police investigators are still carrying out a scene examination at the Chartwell property and the body was expected to be taken to Auckland for a post mortem investigation later today.

A team of 25 investigators are working on the case. Efforts include searching a car and properties in Auckland for the murder weapon and forensic evidence to build a clearer picture.

Detective senior sergeant Ross Patterson said he knew Mr Tiatia had one injury but expected the post mortem to reveal how he died and if he any other injuries.

Police asked any members of the public who had seen or heard anything suspicious around Winstone Ave between 1pm and 2pm yesterday to contact them. No-one else is wanted in relation to the death.

The accused is due to appear in Hamilton District Court tomorrow.