Lower Hutt death investigated as homicide - police

3:54 pm on 27 January 2020

The death of a critically injured man in Lower Hutt is now being treated as homicide.

Unexplained death in Taita, Lower Hutt early on Sunday 26th January 2020.  A Police cordon and crime scene invetsigation tent were in place Monday 27th January 2020.

Police at the property in Taita, Lower Hutt. Photo: RNZ / Patrice Allen

The 56-year-old man was found critically injured on the roadside at the intersection of Futter Grove and Hughes Crescent yesterday.

He died a short time later.

Police this afternoon said it would be treated as a homicide and said they expected to remain in the area over the coming days.

A scene guard waas been in place overnight and police were at the property this morning.

A neighbour did not want to be interviewed but alerted RNZ to the exact spot where the body was found.

A large cordon remained in place, encompassing three houses, with a blue police tent, several police cars and other vehicles.

Investigators in white suits were at the property coming in and out of the tent.