Suspicious Death - Opotiki

Eastern Bay of Plenty Police have began an investigation into the suspicious death of a 78 year old man in Opotiki who died overnight.

Opotiki Police were called at around 7.30am this morning by a local resident to an address in Windsor Street, Opotiki which was occupied by a retired man who lived alone at the address.

An investigation team comprising staff from the Eastern Bay of Plenty and wider Bay of Plenty District have begun conducting extensive enquiries in an effort to establish the circumstances surrounding the death of the elderly man.

A large cordon is currently in place to enable police and other experts to conduct a thorough scene examination of the address in Windsor Street.

Detective Inspector Rob Jones says 'it is still too early for police to speculate on both the circumstances and cause that contributed to the death of the elderly man. A forensic post mortem examination will be conducted tomorrow in Auckland.'

Police appeal to any person who was in the Windsor, Richard, Ford, or St John Streets area last night or; who may have seen anything suspicious or anyone acting suspiciously in that area over night to contact them urgently on the following numbers:
Opotiki Police on (07) 315-1110 - 8am to 4pm.
Whakatane Police on (07) 3085255 (anytime).

The name of the deceased cannot be released at this stage as enquiries are continuing to contact next-of-kin.

A further press release will be issued at 0900 hours tomorrow morning.