Police Recruits Join Owhiro Bay Search
New Zealand Police National News Release
8:16pm 11 July 2006

Recruits from the Royal New Zealand Police College will tomorrow join detectives and specialist searchers combing the Owhiro Bay and Red Rocks coastal route for items that will help the Tony Stanlake homicide investigation.

Mr Stanlake, known as both Anthony and Tony to family and friends, has been identified as the man whose mutilated body was found on the Owhiro Bay shoreline on Sunday morning. The 62-year-old Karori man had extensive head and neck injuries, and his hands had been severed.

Detective Inspector Mike Arnerich, head of the Wellington CIB Operation Red Rocks inquiry, says 43 recruits will help with a close contact foot search of the coastal beach and walkway area.

Police divers and Specialist Search Group staff will also continue their meticulous scene examination, which includes sifting sand and gravel in the area where Mr Stanlake's body was found.

"It's important we get as much information as possible from the Owhiro Bay crime scene," Detective Inspector Arnerich says. "We still want to find Tony's hands, clothing from his upper body and the weapons, any of which could have been discarded around the rocks, into the sea or elsewhere in the Wellington area."

Investigators will also continue their search of Mr Stanlake's Lancaster Street, Karori, house to try and find material which will help explain how, when and why he died, and who was responsible.

The scene examination could take some days.

Nearly 100 calls have been received on the 0508 Red Rocks or 0508 733 762 hotline number since Sunday night. Police are following up every call and hope that now that Mr Stanlake's identity is known, other people who have been in contact with him, have visited his house, seen him in recent weeks or who can shed any light on his interests will contact police.

"Establishing Tony's identity was the first step. Our next big task is trying to find out when and where he died and who was involved.

"Any information from the public, no matter how insignificant it might seem, is important to us."

ENDS

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