Police are seeking a male trio as investigations continue into a homicide that has rocked a Hawke's Bay seaside community.
On Monday morning police found 45-year-old Mark Geoffrey Beale, assaulted and left for dead on a Haumoana beach.
He was rushed to Hawke's Bay Hospital, but died of his injuries overnight.
A homicide investigation was launched, and for the past week a team of more than 35 police have been at Haumoana, door-knocking, speaking with residents, and trying to piece together the events of Sunday night.
However a number of gaps remain, which police are now appealing to the public to help fill.
Flowers mark the Grange Rd entrance to the beach where Mr Beale was assaulted, with more left where his body was found near the Tukituki river mouth.
At the scene yesterday, Detective Inspector Mike Foster said police were appealing to the public for information so they could find out why the assault occurred, and provide closure to Mr Beale's family.
"It's hard to fathom why anyone so quiet in nature could have been victim of such a needless and violent attack," Mr Foster said.
A week into the investigation, Mr Foster said police were getting a good picture of who had been at the river mouth where Mr Beale spent his final evening.
As well as being a favoured fishing spot - including for Mr Beale - the reserve is a popular area for dog walking, cycling, and other recreational activities.
Police had identified, or spoken with about 20 people who had been there that evening, however Mr Foster said they were now looking to identify three Maori men seen fishing there.
"They're not suspects at this stage," he said.
"But we need to get an accurate idea of who was down there."
The three men had been at the scene playing loud music "into the early hours of the morning". Police were appealing for the men, or anyone who had seen them, to come forward.
Mr Foster said police would also appreciate information about any questionable vehicles seen parked at the two carparks near the area - one at the end of Grange Rd, the other off Domain Rd.
At this stage police were unsure when exactly the assault occurred, but believed it was between 8pm on Sunday and 6am Monday.
"[Mr Beale's] movements that night are relatively unknown to us," Mr Foster said.
"It's strange because there were a lot of people down here."
Police believed he had been "back and forth" between his Grange Rd North home and the beach that night, but had returned to the beach after 8pm.
Mr Beale had sustained serious facial injuries, Mr Foster said. It was not believed a weapon was used, although police had recovered a number of items of interest from the scene.
Mr Beale lived alone. His parents live in Napier, and two sons live outside the region.
His death notice stated he was a "dearly loved son" of Geoff and Jenny, brother and brother-in-law of Robert and Fiona, Katie, Sarah and Jason, and Tim and Sheree.
He was a loved father of Jareb and Zane.
His family declined to comment yesterday.
Earlier this week locals of the peaceful seaside community told Hawke's Bay Today they had been left in shock over the incident.
One woman said she was saddened this had occurred in their small village and to this "poor, poor" man.
"It is actually heartbreaking."
A funeral service for Mr Beale will be held at Napier's Beth Shan Chapel tomorrow.
• A dedicated phone line has been set up for the investigation dubbed Operation Helm. Police encourage anyone with information to call (06) 873 0519. Alternatively information can be shared anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.