Pair remain in custody on assault charges laid after Napier man's death

Alex Latimer, of Napier, whose body was found on a rural Hawke's Bay property on October 6.

Two men will remain in custody on assault charges related to the death of Napier man Alex Latimer.

Two men aged 26 and 24, who both have interim name suppression, appeared in Hastings District Court today.

They were charged with assault after police began looking into the disappearance of Latimer, 30, on September 30.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Mike O'Brien told the Hastings District Court today further charges remained possible, but the decision had yet to be made.

Judge Tony Adeane denied the pair's applications for bail and remanded them to reappear on November 6.

The men were charged with assault after Latimer disappeared on September 30, after visiting the Bay View BP station in Napier about 1.25am.

The Te Haroto house and property adjacent to State Highway 5, on the Napier-Taupo highway.

It is believed Latimer was headed northwest to the Te Haroto area on the Napier-Taupo road.

Latimer's vehicle - a white 2000 Toyota Corolla hatchback, registration ZE8110 - was found burnt out on Omaranui Rd the next day.

His body was found on a Te Haroto property adjacent to State Highway 5 on October 6.

Police combed the Te Haroto property and house where Alex Latimer's body was found.