Friends may be hiding killer

Photo / Martin Sykes

Police believe friends may be helping a man they want to question after a body was found in a pool of blood.

John Patrick Chambers, 23, was pronounced dead at the scene after he was found at the Eden Park Lodge in Dominion Rd, Mt Eden, early on Saturday morning.

A post-mortem examination yesterday revealed Mr Chambers died from a single stab wound to the chest.

Auckland City police said yesterday they were looking for a man seen running from the boarding house.

Detective Inspector Bruce Shadbolt said police believed the man was being helped by others.

"Those doing so are being warned that they face arrest if they proceed to help the man hide," Mr Shadbolt said.

Mr Chambers did not live at the boarding house. Police did not know where he lived.

A scene examination was continuing, as were interviews with boarding house residents.

Meanwhile, police in Wellington are investigating the death of a 26-year-old man who was assaulted early yesterday morning. The man had left a bar and was walking along Main St in Upper Hutt around 1am when he was set upon.

He suffered serious head injuries and his life support system was turned off just after 4pm yesterday.

Detective Inspector Darrin Thomson said police were appealing for witnesses.

* If you have information on the Mt Eden case, call Avondale police on (09) 820-5627 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. In the Wellington case, those with information can contact police on (04) 527-5300.