A further four people have been charged in connection with the murder of Rotorua man Zain Taikato Fox, bringing the total number of people charged by the homicide investigation to 16.
The 20-year-old was found critically injured on the side of State Highway 33 by four men shortly after 7pm on July 26.
He died from his injuries in Rotorua Hospital shortly after.
In August, 12 people were charged with Taikato-Fox’s murder after armed search warrants were carried out in Maketū, Rotorua, and Whanganui.
Seven of those arrested were from the small Bay of Plenty town of Maketū.
The arrests included four Rotorua men, aged 23, 25, 29, and 54, seven Maketū men, aged 37, 38, two aged 22, two aged 40, and 63, as well as a male youth arrested in Whanganui.
Detective Inspection Craig Rawlinson said a further four people had now been charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice and were due to appear in the Tauranga District Court via audio-visual link.
“An 18-year-old and a 62-year-old are appearing today, and a 29-year-old and a 45-year-old are appearing tomorrow.”
Rawlinson said the police investigation into Taikato-Fox’s death was ongoing.
“Police would ask anyone who may have information of value to us, to come forward.”
Anyone with relevant information should contact police on 105.
