Body in garage 'killed elsewhere'

A man whose body was found in a New Plymouth garage on Friday night was killed elsewhere and dumped at the property, police believe.

A homicide investigation was launched after the middle-aged man's body was discovered in a double garage behind a Drake Street house about 8pm, Detective Senior Sergeant Grant Coward said.

The house was believed to be occupied by a young couple and their three children.

"The family that live there found a body in the garage but they can't help identity who he is," Mr Coward said last night.

"The body only appears to have been there for 12 to 24 hours."

The man did not match any descriptions on the national missing persons database and how he died was still a mystery.

Police were interviewing neighbours to try and establish the man's identity and the circumstances of his death.

About 20 staff, including detectives and scientists, were working on the case.

- NZPA