Two people have been remanded in custody after they appeared in court accused of killing Hamilton man Piki Kingi.
The blanket-wrapped body of the 38-year-old was found in his car in Hamilton East yesterday, where it had been for four days.
A 48-year-old man and a 45-year-old woman appeared in Hamilton District Court today, Radio New Zealand reported. They were both given interim name suppression and were remanded in custody without plea until July 6.
Police said drugs were involved in the case and were seeking two more people in relation to Mr Kingi's death. They had not ruled out gang connections, Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Page said.
Mr Kingi died at a Cobham Street house, in Hamilton East, following a serious assault, he said. Though police had not yet said what caused Mr Kingi's death, he had suffered severe injuries.
His body was found in the back seat of his 1992 Mazda MS6 hatchback car, wrapped in blankets. The vehicle had been left in Mansel Street in the suburb of Hillcrest since last Wednesday.
Up to 30 police and forensic experts had been working at the Cobham St house since Friday.
They were expected to remain there for the next couple of days.
Mr Kingi had not been seen since 11am last Wednesday, when he filled up his 1992 Mazda MS6 hatchback car at the Caltex Service Station in suburban Hillcrest.
Two people lived at the Cobham Dr home, but it was not Mr Kingi's home.
