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Police are investigating whether the murder of a man in Wellington is gang related.
A homicide investigation was launched on Sunday after a family member discovered Rau Tongia’s body around 8.20 a.m. at an address on Percy Dyett Dr in Karori.
Stuff I understand that the 33-year-old had gang connections and police are investigating whether his death is related to gang activity.
It is understood that a party, which was held until the early hours of Sunday morning, was held at one of several properties on the driveway that is currently cordoned off by police.
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* Police launch homicide investigation after body is found in a Wellington suburb
ROSA WOODS / Things
Police stand guard at the scene of a homicide in Karori on Monday. Pictured are two of the three houses at the rear of the property.
Police confirmed that they had visited the property where Tongia’s body was found overnight, following reports of disorder.
Investigations into the call incident are part of the ongoing homicide investigation, Detective Sgt. Steve Wescott said.
Stuff understands that Tongia was due to appear in Wellington District Court on Monday facing two counts of robbery.
A registrar dropped the charges after he was told that Tongia had died.
Neighbors you spoke to Stuff in the normally quiet suburb on Monday they said they heard a rumble from the cluster of houses where Tongia’s body was found early Sunday morning.
ROSA WOODS / Things
On Monday, the police were also standing guard at the front of the section.
Wescott said police were pursuing strong lines of investigation and working to hold those responsible to account.
A former resident of the home believed to be at the center of the investigation said Stuff They moved in in October and they didn’t know who was living there now.
It is unclear if Tongia lived at the property.
The Karori community could expect to see a significant police presence in the area in the coming days, as police seek to provide reassurance for local residents and speak to potential witnesses, Wescott said.
ROSA WOODS / Things
A house sits across the driveway, but it does not appear to be the focus of the homicide investigation.
On Monday, neighbors they spoke with said they heard screams coming from the group of three houses until late Saturday night.
“I just remember that it was very late, I was asleep and I woke up, there was just a lot of noise. I was not entirely consistent with that, ”said a neighbor.
“It was just a lot of noise, a lot of screaming. Just a bit of noise early in the morning. We woke up and thought … ‘I hope they shut up now’, and then we went back to sleep. Then we woke up to the news. Quite strange. It’s very out of place here.
Ross Giblin / Stuff
Police and forensic personnel in the group of houses where the body of a man was discovered Sunday morning.
“I just feel sorry for them.”
The group of three houses are all newly built.
On Monday morning, police officers stood guard both at street level and above the shared driveway, with a tent erected near the trail for police and Environmental Science Research Institute (ESR) staff. .
- Anyone with information should contact Wellington Police at 105, citing work number P044839711. Information can be provided anonymously through Crimestoppers at 0800 555111.
