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Home / New Zealand

Wellsford murder inquiry: Police now seeking woman, 21, and Desmond Bourne

NZ Herald
2 Dec, 2020 05:02 PM2 mins to read

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Serene Tilsley and Desmond Bourne are wanted in relation to the murder of Zane Smith near Wellsford on Saturday. Video / Will Trafford

Police have received multiple sightings of a man wanted for the fatal shooting of a man in Wellsford, and are now seeking his 21-year-old associate.

Detective Inspector Scott Beard has also released the shooting victim's name as Zane Smith, 37, of Rodney.

Both Smith and Desmond Lawrence Bourne - who is still on the run from police - were known to each other.

Beard said police had made several inquiries across the wider Auckland region searching for 45-year-old Bourne.

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"A number of reports of potential sightings of Bourne have been received this week and these have been followed up by police, with inquiries made at multiple addresses across the wider Auckland region."

Zane Smith from Rodney was shot and killed, allegedly by Desmond Bourne, near Wellsford on Saturday night.
Zane Smith from Rodney was shot and killed, allegedly by Desmond Bourne, near Wellsford on Saturday night.

Police were are also now seeking Serene Tilsley, 21, who is associated with Bourne and has a warrant to arrest in relation to the incident.

"Police are also appealing for sightings of a black 2005 Ford Falcon saloon – registration CTS862 – linked to this incident, which was seen in Pakuranga on Sunday morning."

Bourne is considered dangerous and should not be approached by the public.

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If you do see him, contact 111 immediately.

"The investigation team will continue to do everything possible to locate Bourne so he can be held to account.

Anyone who sees Serene Tilsley, pictured, is urged to contact the Waitemata Crime Squad on 09 839 0697 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Photo / NZ Police
Anyone who sees Serene Tilsley, pictured, is urged to contact the Waitemata Crime Squad on 09 839 0697 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Photo / NZ Police

"We are appealing to Bourne to hand himself him so this can be resolved without further incident," says Detective Inspector Beard.

Police acknowledged members of the public who had contacted them with information about possible sightings of Bourne.

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Police are appealing for sightings of a black 2005 Ford Falcon saloon, registration CTS862 (pictured), linked to the murder, which was seen in Pakuranga on Sunday morning. Photo / NZ Police
Police are appealing for sightings of a black 2005 Ford Falcon saloon, registration CTS862 (pictured), linked to the murder, which was seen in Pakuranga on Sunday morning. Photo / NZ Police

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Desmond Bourne and Serene Tilsley or the Ford Falcon vehicle was urged to contact Waitemata Crime Squad on 09 839 0697, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Support was being provided to the family of Zane Smith, Beard said.

Desmond Lawrence Bourne is wanted for murder in relation to a fatal shooting in Wellsford on Saturday. Photo / NZ Police
Desmond Lawrence Bourne is wanted for murder in relation to a fatal shooting in Wellsford on Saturday. Photo / NZ Police
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