Several houses along South Rd are cordoned off.
New Plymouth Police have launched a homicide investigation following the death of a man overnight.
The man, who had serious injuries, was taken to New Plymouth’s Taranaki Base Hospital by associates at about 7pm on Wednesday. He was given medical attention however died.
It is the second homicide investigation launched in the region within a week, with two men charged in relation to the death of Jacob Ramsay, whose body was found on Sunday.
A property on South Road in Blagdon has been identified as an address of interest and a scene examination is currently underway in this area, Detective Inspector Craig Sheridan said in an emailed statement.
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The community should expect to see a Police presence in the Blagdon area in the coming days and anyone with any information or concerns is asked to contact Police via 105 and quote file number 220803/3149.
Earlier on Thursday morning several police cars were spotted outside the South Rd addresses, which also had cordon tape around them.
Downers workers have also placed orange cones outside several homes on the stretch on State Highway 45 near the intersection with Belair Ave.
Several police officers are guarding the scene, which is not far from Spotswood College.
A neighbour, who would not be named, said her dogs started barking between 9pm and 9:30pm Wednesday.
At the time, her husband asked if she had heard some bangs but she hadn’t.
VANESSA LAURIE/Stuff
The stretch of State Highway 45 is also been blocked off with cones.
When her husband went outside police cars were already there, she said.
The couple thought it may have been a crash, as there had been crashes on the stretch of road in the past.
Police had not been to talk with them overnight or this morning, the woman said.
The homicide investigation launched on Thursday is the fifth in the region this year, which is understood to be the most the region’s police have dealt with since 1990 when officers were trying clear a backlog of 10 homicides committed in the region over a 15-month period.
This week, two men – a 39-year-old and an 18-year-old – were arrested and charged with the murder of Ramsay, 33, whose body was found on an Oaonui farm in South Taranaki on July 31.
No pleas have been entered by either accused, who have interim name suppression.
Leigh Beer has been charged with murder and arson after Emma Field’s body was found following a New Plymouth house fire on May 27. He has yet to enter pleas to the charges.
The May 7 homicide of Adrian Humphreys, who was found dead at a Tāngarākau campground in east Taranaki is still under investigation, with no arrests made.
Henry Wensor has been charged with the Februry 14 murder of his wife Levonne Wenor at their New Plymouth home. He has yet to enter a plea and his mental health is currently under assessment.
Another death – the fatal police shooting of Kaoss Price on April 16 this year – is under police investigation, but being carried out by staff outside of the central policing region.
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