Napier’s Emerson St cordoned off following suspicious death

Police at Emerson St in Napier this morning. Photo / Doug Laing

Police are investigating a suspicious death in Napier’s CBD after a person was found lying unresponsive on the street.

At about 3.15am on Wednesday, police responded to a report of a person lying on the street, near the intersection of Emerson Street and Hastings St.

“Emergency services responded to the location and CPR was performed on the person but, sadly, they could not be revived,” a police statement read.

Police say the death is being treated as suspicious.

Tents and police tape on Emerson St in Napier this morning. Photo / Doug Laing

Police would like to hear from anyone who witnessed any incident in the area from around 2am on Wednesday.

A cordon and tents were erected at the scene (near Pascoes and One NZ) following the discovery, which were still in place by mid-afternoon for a section of Emerson St.

As at 2pm, police said the scene examination was still under way and inquiries were ongoing.

All nearby shops were open by that stage.

The cordon was initially wider on Wednesday morning, blocking off part of Hastings St, but that road had fully reopened to traffic and shops by 8am.

Kaumātua were seen arriving on the scene with police iwi liaison officer John Tangaere on Wednesday morning, a Hawke’s Bay Today reporter at the scene said.

If you have information or CCTV or dashcam footage that could assist with inquiries, please go to 105 online or phone 105 to make a report, referencing file number 241218/5045

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.