22 May 2025

Police believe 'critical, relevant' information withheld in Wellington homicide probe

6:18 pm on 22 May 2025
RNZ/Reece Baker

Police had been called to a nearby home invasion minutes earlier. Photo: RNZ / REECE BAKER

Police say people linked to an address of interest in the homicide of Wellington man Abdulhassan Nabizadah may be withholding "critical and relevant" information.

Nabizadah, 63, was found critically injured on a street corner in the suburb of Miramar in the early hours of 17 March, minutes after police were called to a home invasion just blocks away on Darlington Road.

Nabizadah died in hospital the next day.

Reluctant to share 'critical information'

Last month, police said the investigation had identified an address close to the Camperdown Road scene, where Nabizadah was found.

They said several people of interest to the investigation were visiting at the time of the two incidents.

On Thursday, Detective Inspector Nick Pritchard said police had spoken to those people, but did not believe they had the full story.

"Some are reluctant to share information that we believe is critical and which would assist our investigation," Pritchard said. "We urge them to share that vital information with us, so Mr Nabizadah's family can get the answers and the justice they deserve."

Detectives following 'every lead available'

Pritchard said the investigation was "very much active".

He said detectives were following "every lead available to us", and continued to collect and analyse information relating to the case.

A cellphone found at the Darlington Road scene contained communications with Nabizadah and, last month, Pritchard said Nabizadah was believed to have been assaulted and robbed on the corner where he was found.

A 28-year-old man was later arrested and charged with aggravated burglary in relation to the Darlington Road incident, and appeared in court on 27 March.

Pritchard wouldn't answer questions on the burglary, while the matter was before the court.

He urged anyone with information to contact police, referencing Operation Celtic.

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