By PAUL YANDALL
HAMILTON - Police have revealed that the body of murder victim Barry Maihera Rimene jun was bound at the hands and legs when it was found in the Waikato River.
The revelation comes a day after the discovery of a car used by Mr Rimene, found packed full of his belongings in the west Hamilton suburb of Frankton.
Thirty-two-year-old Mr Rimene, also known as Sharnie, was found dead on Sunday lodged among debris in the river 1km south of the Ohinewai boat ramp north of Huntly.
The Hamilton man was identified from fingerprints early this week.
Detective Senior Sergeant Graham Matthews said Mr Rimene was found with both his hands and legs tied up but he would not reveal any more details. Police will continue their inquiries today.
The police have received preliminary results from an autopsy this week but have yet to make public the cause of death or how long Mr Rimene was in the river.
A car he used was found abandoned on Tuesday night in a vacant lot in a Frankton industrial estate. The car was packed with his belongings, and a table and chairs were stacked on top.
Police believe the car had sat undisturbed on the property for several days and forensic tests on the vehicle and its contents have begun.
The vehicle is understood to be owned by a former partner of Mr Rimene. She was unavailable for comment but her mother said the two had parted company several months ago.
Diane Weston, an aunt of Mr Rimene, said his parents, Barry and Josie, had travelled to Hamilton from Masterton to take his body home. The body is expected to be released this morning.
"It's just a waiting game now for us. It's a long trip for them so everyone's hoping they'll be back by [today]."
She said the funeral for Mr Rimene was planned to take place at Te Ora Ora Marae, near the family's Masterton home, on Saturday.
Murder victim bound by hands and legs
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