A Whangarei man killed by a savage beating at the weekend had no known enemies, police say.
The police cordon at Second Avenue, where a man was found dead. Photo: RNZ / Lois Williams
Michael Griffin was found unconscious outside his garage in Second Avenue on Sunday morning, and later died of head injuries.
Detective Inspector Kevin Burke said the 56-year-old was a sickness beneficiary who lived alone, and the police had found no one who had a grudge against him. They were investigating whether anything was missing from his house.
Mr Griffin was severely beaten about his head and face, possibly with a hammer or block of wood, Mr Burke said.
The police wanted avenues residents to look out for anything which might have been used as a weapon, then thrown away by the attacker.
Mr Griffin was last seen by his friends watching television about 4pm on Saturday, and neighbours heard him doing building work in his garage late that night.
Mr Griffin was known to the police but not for any recent or major offending, Mr Burke said.
