Vehicle yields clues to fate of young dad

The Mazda Marvie, registration WC9996, has been linked to the disappearance of Raymond

Police searching for a young father missing for a month today have found a vehicle linked to his disappearance and say he died a violent death.

Investigators say a search of a property in Turakina, south of Wanganui, last Tuesday uncovered a dark green Mazda Marvie being used by Kapiti man Raymond Piper.

The address is about 120km north of the Paraparaumu home of Mr Piper's partner Hanna Lark, where he was last seen on May 15. Mr Piper, 23, also known as Son, had been visiting the couple's young son.

The investigation into Mr Piper's death was upgraded to a homicide yesterday, following forensic testing of the Mazda.

Inquiry head Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Oxnam, would not say what had been found in the vehicle.

"I can now say that we have evidence that Son's death was violent. I am appealing for sightings of this vehicle from Saturday, 15 May, and every day after that.

"The vehicle was last seen in the Paraparaumu area on the morning of the 15th."

Mr Oxnam said the vehicle had arrived at the Turakina address between Monday, May 24, and midnight on Thursday, May 27.

Police said last week that it was likely Mr Piper had been killed, given the length of time since his disappearance.

On Thursday, they searched the Challenge Kapiti petrol station, close to his partner's house, as "a place of interest" and removed car cleaning products used on the vehicle, and a computer.

In a statement released through police last night, Mr Piper's family begged for the return of his body.

* Anyone with information should phone police on 0800 FIND RAY, via email on findray@police.govt.nz or via text on 027-241-1394.