Justin Conrad McFarlane (35), of Elderslie, was found dead in his Pine Hill Rd home at 4.30am on Wednesday, when a fellow farm worker called at the address to see why Mr McFarlane had not turned up for work.
He had been killed in what police described as a ''violent attack''. Acting Detective Inspector Colin Blackie, of the Southern region, yesterday confirmed an 18-year-old North Otago man had been arrested on Thursday night and charged with the murder. Boskell appeared in the Dunedin District Court yesterday and was remanded in custody by consent to the High Court at Timaru, on October 1.
However, it was believed ''more than one'' other person had also been involved, Acting Det Insp Blackie said.
It was believed the people who were involved in Mr McFarlane's death were known to him and that the incident was not a random act, he said.
''They knew what address they were going to and who was likely to be at that address.''
Police would also like to hear from anyone who saw a grey Nissan Skyline involved in a short police pursuit on State Highway 1 early on Wednesday.
The vehicle was believed to have been travelling around the Maheno and Elderslie areas, before it was seen on the state highway. The vehicle, which had since been impounded by police, was thought to be linked to the death of Mr McFarlane.
''The vehicle failed to stop and reached speeds that resulted in the pursuit being called off for safety reasons.''
It was not known at that time that the vehicle might be linked to the crime, he said.
The investigation is focusing on establishing Mr McFarlane's recent movements and the events leading up to his death. Police said yesterday some people with connections to the deceased had been interviewed.
Residents in the Elderslie area were yesterday shocked a homicide inquiry was focused on their rural settlement.
Fort Enfield Tavern publican Neil Gard said Mr McFarlane, also known as ''Spook'', was an occasional patron at the pub, and had been ''a pretty quiet guy''.
''It's a wee bit close to home. It's just right there; I look out the window at the farm. It's very scary and unsettling,'' Mr Gard said.
''When I told the kids about it, it shocked them a bit. They'd seen him driving around.''
