Homicide investigation launched after man's body found at Auckland brothel

2:18 pm on 10 March 2020

A shop owner who works near an Auckland brothel where a man was found dead this morning says the area is normally very quiet.

The Epsom brothel where a man was found dead on the morning of 10 March.

A police car outside the brothel where a man's body was found just after midnight. Photo: RNZ / Katie Scotcher

Police opened a homicide investigation after the man's body was found at the Epsom address on Manukau Road by a member of the public just after midnight.

Janine Rause, who has managed a clothing store opposite the brothel for more than two years, said she had never had any problems with the establishment.

"It's almost like a shop ... a house that just exists but you wouldn't know what went on out there. So a bit of a shock."

Rause said people in the community were alarmed by what's happened.

Police acting Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin said a scene examination was underway and a post-mortem would be carried out.

Police are still trying to confirm the man's identity and locate his next of kin.