Hamilton Police investigating the murder of a man outside his Enderley home on Tuesday night are asking local residents to notify them if they find anything suspicious in their gardens, bushes or properties.
Detective Senior Sergeant Karl Thornton of the Hamilton CIB said a post-mortem examination on the body of 42-year-old Abdi AWAD showed he had died from blood loss resulting from a series of puncture wounds to his body.
"A 26-year-old man, initially arrested for possession of an offensive weapon, was charged with Mr AWAD's murder this morning and is appearing in the Hamilton District Court today.
"Despite his arrest there is still significant work to be done on the inquiry, in particular, we are seeking the weapon used in the murder and we believe the public hold the key in locating it."
Mr Thornton said one of the major challenges for investigators was the distances involved between when and where Mr AWAD was killed and the offender was located.
"Mr AWAD was killed at his Chamberlain Pl address about 11.40pm Tuesday night and our investigations so far indicate the offender travelled to addresses on Kenney Cres and Hockin Pl between then and his arrest around 8pm yesterday on Dey St.
"The weapon believed to have been used to cause the puncture wounds to Mr AWAD'S body was not recovered at the scene and locating that is a key focus for our enquiry team."
Mr Thornton said the homicide investigation had been able to progress in such a timely manner due in part to sound investigative work complementing a large degree of support from the Hamilton Muslim community and Enderley residents.
"We're asking that the good will and support shown so far continue and that if anyone finds an item on their property or in their gardens or trees they think is suspicious, to contact us.
"If you do come across an object don't try and pick it up, leave it in place and phone Hamilton Police on 07 858 6200, to allow investigators to examine it as it lies."
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