Homicide investigation takes a different turn

The death of a man in November is no longer considered a homicide.

Police investigating an Auckland homicide now say there was no murder.

Rory O'Neill, a Killer Beez gang member, had just got out of prison when he was discovered dead in November at a Blockhouse Bay home.

Police initially said they weren't looking for anyone in relation to the death, but four days after his body was found the investigation was elevated to a homicide inquiry.

At the time police said O'Neill was known to them and asked anyone with information to contact investigators.

More than five months on, on Friday, police said the investigation was complete and they were no longer seeking other people.

Detective Inspector Aaron Pascoe said members of the community had provided helpful information during the investigation, which would be referred to the Coroner.

The circumstances of the death, including whether it was a suspected suicide or an accidental death, was a matter for the Coroner to consider, a police spokeswoman said.

O'Neill was released from prison just two months before his death. He had been jailed for injuring, intentional damage, possessing a firearm and unlawfully getting into a motor vehicle.

The 34-year-old told the Parole Board at his final hearing that his gang connections kept him safe in prison but he had plans to "better himself" when he was released, and wanted to get a qualification.