Police hope CCTV images will lead to killer

Wellington Police have released CCTV images of Matthew Hall before his death in the hope that someone may have seen him in the hours before his brutal murder. Photo / Supplied

CCTV images of a Wellington man, captured in the hours before he was viciously killed, have been released.

Police are yet to make any arrests after Matthew John Hall, 35, was found by his flatmate stabbed to death in his bed at his Johnsonville home on Tuesday.

They are also yet to recover a large knife with a serrated edge, believed to have been used in the "ferocious" attack.

The images show Mr Hall at Woolworths supermarket in Johnsonville - about 1.1km from his address on Broderick Road - where he bought groceries about 11.15pm on Monday.

Investigation head Detective Senior Sergeant Donna Howard hoped the release of the images would lead to information from the public that could piece together Mr Hall's actions in the lead up to his death.

"We hope that these images may jog someone's memory and we want to hear from anyone who may have seen Mr Hall at Woolworths late on Monday evening. We want to ascertain if Mr Hall was alone at the time or in the company of others."

Such information could be vital to the investigation, she said.

Mr Hall worked as a consumer consultant for Capital & Coast DHB's alcohol and drug services and general adult mental health services as well as singing in a death metal band.

On Friday, Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Thornton said the injuries Mr Hall suffered were among the worst he had seen.

"It's a very ferocious and vicious attack on a guy that, from our preliminary reconstruction, was lying on his bed, probably asleep," he said.

Forensic examinations have been conducted at the house and police staff will remain there for several days.

Police also appealed to anyone who saw a person or people entering or leaving 118 Broderick Road, Johnsonville, between midday Monday until Tuesday evening around 6pm, when police were called to the address.

Neighbours living near the address were also asked to check their properties, bush areas and rubbish bins for the knife, which may have been discarded by the offender or offenders.

- NZPA