16 Jan 2011

Team investigating farmer killing scaled back

6:33 am on 16 January 2011

The number of detectives hunting for the killer of Manawatu farmer Scott Guy has been scaled back to 14 officers.

The 31-year-old was found shot dead at the end of his driveway in Feilding on 8 July 2010.

Inquiry head Detective Inspector Sue Schwalger says staffing numbers have declined as less information comes in, though the reduction can be reversed if there is a significant breakthrough.

Ms Schwalger says the police are now focussing on fine detail and revisiting information gathered earlier.

She says although an arrest isn't imminent, her team is in good spirits and remains determined to find the killer.

Scott Guy's sister, Nikki Guy, says the family is perfectly happy with the staffing reduction, but waiting for an arrest is tough.

"We can't move forward until we know who's killed him and why," she said.