4 Aug 2017

Name released of Fairlie man found dead beside river

7:32 pm on 4 August 2017

The name of the man found dead beside a South Canterbury river can now be named as Michael Andrew Phillips.

The body of the 45-year-old man, from Fairlie, was discovered earlier this week on the banks of the Opihi river, next to his vehicle, by a local police officer.

A post-mortem examination revealed that Mr Phillips had sustained several injuries before his death.

Rural area commander, Dave Gaskin, said the police were now trying to figure out the events leading up to Mr Phillips' death.