Assault accused now charged with murder

Tauranga Police have now charged a 45 year old Tauranga man with murder, after the death of a 76 year old man in Tauranga last week.

The victim, David Tait, sustained serious serious head injuries in an attack in his Tauranga home, and was discovered by Police last Tuesday 22 June. He died the next day in Tauranga Hospital.

Murray Tait initially appeared in the Tauranga District Court last Wednesday 23 June on an assault charge. He was formally charged with murder today, and will appear in the Tauranga District Court tomorrow, Wednesday 30 June, on this charge.

The officer in charge of the investigation, Detective Senior Sergeant Lindsay Pilbrow, says the investigation has progressed well, leading to the murder charge being laid.

However, Detective Senior Sergeant Pilbrow says Police are still eager to talk to any member of the public who may have seen Murray Tait, or his dark blue Subaru Legacy station wagon, last Tuesday.

"In particular, we are urgently seeking any information that may help us find the clothes that Murray Tait was wearing on Tuesday 22 June. We believe these clothes may have been disposed of or discarded somewhere in the Papamoa Beach area.

"If any member of the public has found any clothing in those areas since Tuesday, we would urgently like to talk to them.

"Equally, we are very keen to talk to anyone who may have sighted this car on Papamoa Beach Rd, or in a reserve or a car parking area in Papamoa between the hours of 10:15am and 2:30pm on Tuesday 22 June."

Detective Senior Sergeant Pilbrow says the clothes are described as a dark-coloured, sleeveless fleece vest, a pair of grey shorts and a pair of old-style, dark grey or black rubber jandles.

The car is a dark blue Subaru Legacy station wagon. The licence plate is BTT823.

"If anyone saw Murray – or his car – last Tuesday, we would like to talk to them urgently. If they don't want to talk to Police directly, they can provide anonymous information through the Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.

"Alternatively, they can contact a member of the investigation team on 07 577 4300 or 0800 SPEAKUP."

Detective Senior Sergeant Pilbrow says up to 30 staff have been working on the investigation.

"As a team, we would like to thank members of the public for their support and the information that has come forward."