Dead man's identity still unknown

Some of the clothing worn by a man found dead in Rotorua.

Rotorua police have released photos of more clothing that belonged to a man found dead in Linton Park reserve to try to identify him.

Police said it was likely he died over the weekend in a small wooded area near the back of the Riri St industrial area and close to the track that runs parallel with Mount View Dr. He was found on Monday morning.

"Although he was wearing casual clothes, he was noticeably clean and tidy, right down to his hair cut and neatly trimmed facial hair," said Detective Sergeant Tony Colby.

"The location would suggest that he is either local or familiar with the area and we find it extremely difficult to believe that this man hasn't got friends and family who may simply not have noticed him missing yet."

His death was not believed to be suspicious but it was important to police that he was identified and returned to his family.

The man is most likely Polynesian, but possibly Maori. Police are estimating his age as in his 20s but don't want anyone to rule out someone who is older or younger based on this estimate.

He had no tattoos but he did have two significant scars on his right inner forearm.

One was a scar about 12cm long running from his wrist up his arm and the other was approximately 4cm long near the elbow joint.

Police said they were thick scars, more likely from an accident than surgery, and likely would have required stitches. On this same wrist he wore a plain plastic yellow wristband.

He had short cropped hair and thin razored, well groomed sideburns and facial hair.

His clothing included a blue Bulldogs cap and black and red Nike trainers He wore a khaki Dickies shirt over a purple and yellow singlet with Lakers 24 on the front and BRYANT on the back. Under that he wore a black t-shirt with a Crack a Woody design.

He also wore Dickies shorts that matched his shirt and his belt had a distinctive steel buckle that doubled as a bottle opener.

Anyone who saw someone they know fitting this description in the area late last week or over the weekend is asked to contact Rotorua police on (07) 348 0099.

Police are also urging people to consider any neighbours or friends who fit the description and notify police if someone who matches the description cannot be contacted or located.