A man who was killed at a Hamilton block of flats yesterday is yet to be formally identified because he had a number of aliases, police say.
A 28-year-old man appeared in Hamilton District Court today charged with his murder and was remanded in custody to reappear next month.
Detective Sergeant Daryl Smith of Hamilton CIB said emergency services were called to the block of flats on Wha St, Frankton, yesterday afternoon following reports of a man being assaulted.
They arrived to find a 38-year-old man lying critically injured on an upstairs walkway of the two-storey block.
"As St John staff attempted to treat the victim for his injuries the man died. A 28-year-old man located in an adjoining flat was initially arrested for assault but has since been charged with murder,'' Mr Smith said.
Although police were in contact with the victim's family, they were yet to formally identify him because he had a number of aliases.
The body was removed from the property this afternoon and was being taken to Auckland, where a post-mortem will be carried out tomorrow morning.
A scene examination of the flats was expected to be completed this evening.
A scene guard was in place overnight and the occupants of six of the eight flats in the block had been found alternative accommodation.
"While we are focused on the importance of gathering the maximum amount of forensic evidence as possible we are also conscious that the occupants of six flats in the two-storey building have given up their homes to assist us with our inquiry and we are grateful for this degree of cooperation,'' Mr Smith said.
The victim's family received assistance from Victim Support and carried out a blessing at the scene overnight.
