KEY POINTS:
Two cars parked at the South Otago property where murder victim Michael Hutchings lived have been destroyed by fire in the third arson attack at the address.
Firefighters from the Kaitangata Fire Brigade and police were called to the Old Coach Rd, Kaitangata, property about 11pm on Saturday, but both vehicles were extensively damaged.
The house where 18-year-old Mr Hutchings lived was demolished last Tuesday after being gutted in the second arson. An attempt had made to burn the house just four days earlier.
Detective Sergeant Kate Harrison said today the vehicles were owned by the "occupants of the property".
Two garages had been left standing on the property after the house was demolished, with the cars parked in the driveway, she said.
Police had found traces of blood in one of the vehicles and it had been returned to the property after being forensically examined as part of the homicide investigation.
Ms Harrison said police were "following leads" in their investigation into the second arson attack on the property and making further inquiries after Saturday night's attack on the cars.
Mr Hutchings' body was found dumped in the Clutha River, near Balclutha, on January 12.
He had been stabbed twice, his body wrapped in a white mattress cover, and heavy steel bars used to weigh it down.
A 37-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman have been charged with murdering Mr Hutchings between January 7 and 12 and remanded in custody until February 22.
- NZPA
