Taxi killer suspect identified

Police have confirmed the identity of the chief suspect in the murder of Auckland taxi driver Hiren Mohini.

But Hiren's family was yesterday told the fugitive may have fled New Zealand.

Hiren, 39, died in Mt Eden on January 31 after he was repeatedly stabbed in his cab by a passenger picked up in central Auckland.

Police released an image of a man of Asian appearance they believed may be a suspect. Film clips showed him getting into Hiren's taxi and carrying a bag later found with blood on it near where he died.

According to reports, police yesterday confirmed they knew the suspect's identity after receiving information from the public. They would not comment on where he was but 3 News said it understood he had fled to China.

Police broke the news to Mohini's family yesterday.

His wife Falguni said she was "okay" but too upset to talk about it.

Her cousin Ashish, who has been in contact with the police on behalf of the family, confirmed officers had visited him but would not comment on their discussions.

The officer in charge of the investigation, Detective Inspector Hywel Jones, said two weeks ago there was a chance the suspect had left New Zealand.

If the suspect is in China police will need cooperation from authorities there to interview him.