Police looking for knife in connection to death

Police looking for knife in connection to death of Stokes Valley man

Lower Hutt Police are continuing their search for a knife in connection to the death of a 27 year old Stokes Valley man on Thursday night.

Police were called to George and Logie Streets in Stokes Valley around 9pm on Thursday 26 January, after receiving reports of an altercation. Upon arrival, bystanders were performing first aid on the victim, but he died after being transported to Hutt Hospital.

Two men, aged 20 and 22 years have been jointly charged with common assault. They have been remanded in custody to reappear on the 9th of February and the 14th of February respectively. Further charges are pending.

Police are now able to release the name of the deceased. He was father of two, Aaron Anthony Hadfield.

Preliminary post-mortem results indicate Mr Hadfield died as a result of a stab wound to the chest area.

Detective Senior Sergeant Scott Cooper of the Lower Hutt CIB says a scene examination is continuing today.

"We are also speaking to family, friends and associates of Aaron Hadfield and those who were in the vicinity of George and Logie Streets on Thursday night, to piece together the events which led to his death. We are still very keen to hear from anyone who may be able to provide any information to Police."

Police are looking for a knife they believe had a blade approximately seven to 10 centimetres long, possibly with a wooden handle.

"We also want to speak to anyone who may have seen two men in the George and Logie Streets area around 9pm on Thursday night. One is described as a 20 year old Maori male, around five foot 10 in height of slim build. He was described as wearing a grey and white patterned hooded sweatshirt, black t-shirt and possibly brown shorts. He had dark hair, with a strip of dyed blonde hair down the middle."

The other is described as a 22 year old, New Zealand European male, wearing a black baseball cap, shorts and a green 'Celtics' hooded sweatshirt with white cuffs around each sleeve.

Anyone with any information should phone Lower Hutt Police on (04) 560 2600 or phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Media please note, the family of Aaron Hadfield have asked for privacy at this difficult time and do not wish to be contacted by media, however they are considering issuing a family statement in the coming days.

The attached photo has been released by Aaron's family and shows Aaron with his son Kayleb, now aged two years. Aaron was also the proud father of five year old Aaliyah.

ENDS