11 Dec 2011

Journalist dies after serious assault in Wellington

10:18 pm on 11 December 2011

Police in Wellington have launched a homicide inquiry after a fatal assault on a Radio New Zealand journalist.

Phillip Cottrell, 43, who was employed as a news bulletin editor, was walking home from work at Radio New Zealand on The Terrace at 5.30am when he was attacked outside the Baptist Church in Boulcott Street.

He underwent surgery at Wellington Hospital, but his life support system was turned off and he died on Sunday afternoon.

Police are asking anyone with any information on the assault to come forward.

Police were reviewing security camera footage on Sunday and speaking with people who live in the area of the attack and those who may have seen the victim that morning.

They say they would like to hear from anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious in the vicinity of Boulcott Street between 5.30am and 6.15am on Saturday.

They say the public can give information directly or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Second assault in city

Officers are also investigating an assault in central Wellington early on Sunday morning that left a man unconscious.

Police say he was struck in the head near the Mermaids Bar in Courtenay Place at 4am and fell to the ground.

He was taken to Wellington Hospital but has since been discharged.

Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Thornton says the man was seen earlier acting in an aggressive manner.

Mr Thornton says he approached a group of three people, one of whom then hit him.

The group of two men and a woman, all of Pacific Island descent, were last seen walking off towards Taranaki Street.