Police enquiries continue in Stokes Valley homicide

Lower Hutt Police are continuing their enquiries into the murder of 27 year old father of two Aaron Anthony Hadfield, who died as a result of an altercation in Stokes Valley on Thursday evening.

Police were called to George and Logie Streets around 9pm on Thursday 26 January, after receiving reports of an altercation. Upon arrival, bystanders were performing first aid on the victim, but he died after being transported to Hutt Hospital.

Two men, aged 20 and 22 years have been jointly charged with common assault. They are in custody to reappear next month.Further charges are pending.

Detective Senior Sergeant Scott Cooper of the Lower Hutt CIB says a scene examination was completed over the weekend and forensic examination of Mr Hadfield's vehicle is continuing.

"We are still in the process of identifying all of the witnesses who were present in the George and Logie Streets area in the hours leading up to the incident on Thursday night."

D/S/S Cooper says, "One of these people was observed talking to two males of interest in Logie Street during the afternoon of Thursday 26 January. He may have been a door to door salesman and has been described as being in his 20's with curly hair, wearing a yellow name badge on his chest and carrying a satchel."

Police would also like to identify and speak to a group of three males, possibly of Pacific Island descent, aged in their 20's, who were observed walking along Logie Street around 9pm on Thursday night.

"These men may have witnessed an altercation involving two males and Mr Hadfield. We would really like those people to come forward and speak with us."

Police are still looking for knife, believed to have been used in the altercation. Enquiries are still being made to ascertain a firm description of it.

"Specialist Search Group (SSG) members and Police National Dive Squad members have been searching an area of Delaney Park and Speldhurst Park today. No significant items of interest have been located at this stage."

Anyone with any information in relation to this operation is urged to contact Lower Hutt Police on (04) 560 2600 or phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.