Police say there have been developments in the ongoing homicide investigation into the killing of Kyle Whorrall more than five months ago.
The 33-year-old United States national was fatally attacked at a bus stop in St Johns Road in Auckland on April 19.
The police investigation into his death has been ongoing and investigators have renewed their focus in the case.
Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin says new information led detectives to Maybury Reserve in Glen Innes on Monday morning.
Police continue to search for several items of interest in the investigation, which remain outstanding.
“A search was conducted through a section of the reserve by the Police Specialist Search Group as well as a dog handler,” he says.
“As a result of that, police have located a machete concealed in part of the reserve and this item has been seized for further forensic examination.”
The Operation Aberfeldy investigation team have continued to search for the weapon used to inflict the fatal injury on Whorrall.
“No one deserves the ordeal Kyle went through in the last moments of his life, after sustaining horrific injuries at the bus stop,” Baldwin says.
“We have been searching for a bladed weapon, so at this stage it’s unclear whether this machete is linked to our enquiry, and we will await results from PHF Science.”
Two people remain before the court at this point in the investigation.
A 16-year-old male has been charged with Whorrall’s murder.
Meanwhile, a 33-year-old woman faces two charges of being an accessory after the fact for murder.
Police continue to appeal to those with information to come forward.
Baldwin says there are people in the community who know who else was in the offending vehicle the night of Whorrall’s death.
“I want to be very clear there is an opportunity here for anyone with information to do the right thing, come forward and speak to us. This is not going away.
“We have a team of investigators who are not going away.
“Police have not come to search Maybury Reserve by mistake, and we will continue to seek answers for Kyle’s family.”
Police encourage anyone with information to contact police online or call 105 using the reference number 250419/9858, or Operation Aberfeldy.
Information can also be reported anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
