Police have named the man who was fatally stabbed near a tennis club in Auckland’s Blockhouse Bay on Saturday.
Authorities said formal identification of the victim was completed earlier today.
He was Stephen Thorpe, aged 54, of Mt Roskill.
Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin said officers have been “preparing to lift cordons at the scene this afternoon, with the completion of a scene examination.”
“Our thoughts are with Mr Thorpe’s family following this tragic event,” he said.
“Police have been in contact with immediate family, who are based in Australia, and we will keep them updated as the investigation progresses.”
Earlier on Monday, police probing the incident said the victim was witnessed engaging in a “violent struggle” with another man and suffered stab wounds.
Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin said officers “desperately” need to hear from anyone who was at the tennis club and surrounding area at the time of the incident. (Source: Breakfast)
Emergency services were called to the stabbing at about 11.30am where a man was reportedly injured by another person on Rathlin St — at the entrance to the Blockhouse Bay Recreation Reserve and the Blockhouse Bay Tennis Club.
Arriving officers found Thorpe with life-threatening injuries, who later died at the scene.
Baldwin told Breakfast the victim went to the Blockhouse Bay Tennis Club shortly after 11.30am and was working on his laptop, which the detective said was “normal for him”.
“Then he passed his laptop to a staff member while he went for a walk in the park, again, normal for him.”
Shortly after that, Baldwin said a staff member at the tennis club heard calls for help, went out to investigate and saw “the deceased, or the victim, was engaged in a violent struggle with another man”.
“He went to get his phone to call 111 and when he returned the deceased had moved closer to the steps, and the offender had left.
Police were seen outside the Blockhouse Bay Tennis Club setting up cordons and a specialist shelter. (Source: 1News)
“Tragically, the victim had succumbed to his injuries which are consistent with stab wounds.”
Baldwin said police “desperately” wanted to hear from anyone who was at the tennis club and surrounding area at the time of the incident, including Rathlin, Whitney, Exminster and Terry streets.
“This is an absolute tragedy, and investigators are working hard to establish the circumstances leading to, and following the murder. While the investigation is in its early stages, we urgently need information from the public that could assist,” he said.
Baldwin said a “focused team” was “starting to gain traction” in the ongoing homicide investigation.
“This offender has left the scene. He may well have had blood on him, he will have returned home to somewhere. Someone will know who he is.
“If you know who is responsible for this, or if this is you, please contact us. Let’s sort this out. Help us to resolve this matter.”
Baldwin said the event had “rocked the local community and membership at the tennis club”.
“Our investigation team is highly motivated and are working hard to bring some answers and to hold the person responsible to account.”
A spokesperson for the tennis club told 1News yesterday an incident had occurred nearby “but we are unable to give any information at this stage”.
People with information are urged to contact police on 105, citing file 240824/4136.