13 July 2012
Waikato Police investigating the fatal shooting of a Paeroa businessman outside his shop and home say they are working on a genuine whodunit, trying to establish a motive for the man's murder.
District Field Crime Supervisor, Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Whitehead, said as the investigation into the death of 55-year-old Jordan VOUDOURIS nears the end of the fourth week the 30-strong Operation Olive team was busy consolidating and rechecking information to hand.
"This is a real whodunit mystery. We have not established why Jordan was killed. Often in such cases in small communities information vital to the case comes to hand at an early stage but to date we haven't been able to establish if this is a robbery that has gone wrong or if someone had a reason to harm Jordan
Mr Whitehead said that the Police have profiled Mr VOUDOURIS in an attempt to identify anything that might assist to solve this mystery.
"While it is not uncommon for people to speak well of a person after they have died the Police can usually establish if there is a darker side to their lives. In Jordan's case everything is overwhelmingly positive."
Mr Whitehead said Mr VOUDOURIS left behind three children from a previous relationship and was remembered as a supportive, caring father. He was killed 5 days before his 56th birthday.
"Jordan grew up in an orphanage in Greece before travelling the world as a merchant seaman and then following an older brother to settle here in New Zealand. He established his business in Paeroa eight years ago and was well liked."
"He was well respected by his staff and when asked if he had anything troubling him one worker said the last issue of concern Jordan had that she remembered was when he had to raise his prices because of a rise in GST.
"She told us of Jordan putting a letter of apology to customers up in the store window and others told of a man who would give food away to kids on the street at the close of business or put extras in to customers' orders when he thought they had had to wait too long for their food."
Mr Whitehead said in all other aspects covered by the inquiry team so far, a picture of a genuinely decent, kind hearted man had appeared.
"In a way this then makes it more difficult for investigators, here we have a decent man with no apparent reason why anyone would harm him let alone shoot him."
"I believe the key to this case still lies in Paeroa, be that someone who saw or heard something, perhaps not realising the significance, and hasn't told Police or that someone has been told something about what happened and is keeping quiet. If that person is you we ask you consider contacting us."
And while investigators are keen to speak to people with information face to face via Paeroa Police on 07 862 8744, information can be left anonymously with Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
"But that's not the only conduit for information, as of today the investigation team has launched a Facebook site, www.facebook.com/PaeroaPoliceJordanVoudourisHomicide, where information can be left with the inquiry team.
"The key thing for investigators is, it doesn't matter what method you use to provide Police with information, the important thing is that you do."
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