Christchurch Police have released images of a motor vehicle which may be connected to a homicide in Rangiora last night.
The vehicle, a silver Subaru station wagon, was found abandoned at the Ohoka Road on-ramp on the Northern Motorway at around 10pm last night - shortly after Police had been called to an address in White road, Rangiora.
Detective Inspector David Long says Police do not yet know whether the car is linked to the homicide, and want to hear from members of the public who may have seen the vehicle or its occupants.
"What we know is that the vehicle was seen driving erratically in the Lineside Road area, south of Rangiora, in the period soon after Police were called to the incident in White Street.
"Someone may have seen the vehicle, or seen the occupants after they abandoned the vehicle. They may have run off, or they may have been picked up.
"We can't rule this vehicle in or out of the investigation at this stage, until we have more information."
Detective Inspector Long says Police and Ambulance were called to the house at White Street at around 9.30pm after reports of an altercation.
"We believe some sort of incident has taken place in the driveway of the property and around the entrance to the dwelling.
"A man aged in his 50s has been injured in the incident, and subsequently died inside the house."
Police are not commenting on the nature of the injuries sustained by the victim, or on any weapons that may have been used.
A second man aged in his 50s, the brother of the deceased, also lived at the address and was injured in the incident.
He was taken to hospital with minor injuries but was discharged today and has been speaking to Police.
Detective Inspector Long says it is believed the dispute at the address occurred after one or more other people visited the house.
"At this stage we do not know how many people had been at the scene, or what involvement they may have had with the injuries received by the two men.
"We are following a number of lines of enquiry but there are no firm suspects at this stage."
Police and ESR forensic teams have been conducting a scene examination at the White Street property today and this is expected to continue until Monday.
The body of the deceased is expected to be removed this evening and a post-mortem examination conducted tomorrow. The man's identity will be released tomorrow after formal identification is completed.
Police have also been carrying area investigations in the vicinity of the address. Around 25 investigators are currently working on the case.
Police urge anyone with information about the incident or the Subaru vehicle to contact Christchurch police on (03) 3637400.
Alternatively, to provide information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
ENDS
Note: No further updates are expected this afternoon or evening. Further updates will be issued tomorrow by media release.
