Kapiti Police upgrade enquiry to homicide investigation following young man's death

Kapiti Police have upgraded the investigation into the 17 year old local man who was found unconscious early yesterday morning, following his death overnight.

Police located the 17 year old around 3am yesterday morning at the back of KFC in the Coastlands carpark in an unconscious state. He was taken to Wellington Hospital where he underwent surgery, however he passed away at 2:30am this morning.

Officer in charge of the investigation Detective Inspector Mike Johnson says a large team of Police are working to piece together the circumstances surrounding the victim's death.

"We know the victim was outside the Retro Bar in the Kapiti Lights carpark sometime before 3am where he was involved in an altercation with a group of people. We are speaking to a number of people who were in this area at the time early yesterday morning and those enquiries will continue throughout the course of the day."

Detective Inspector Johnson says a post-mortem examination will be carried out, which will help to establish the exact cause of death.

Police still want to hear from anyone who was in the vicinity of the Retro Bar in the early hours of yesterday morning, or anyone who was near KFC about 3am.

"It is the public who will help us establish what has occurred early yesterday morning. I urge anyone with any information to come forward and speak with Police as soon as possible."

"Our thoughts are with the family of the victim. We expect to release his name later this morning."

Anyone with any information should contact Kapiti Police on (04) 296 6800 or phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

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