Jacqui Knight says the scientist killed in Blockhouse Bay attack was well respected and knowledgeable. Video | Michael Craig
Stephen Thorpe was killed in a violent attack in the Blockhouse Bay Tennis Club carpark on Saturday.
Police say his attacker likely fled the scene in blood-stained clothing.
Those living in surrounding streets have been asked for security and dashcam footage.
Detectives hunting for the killer of an Auckland scientist believe someone is sitting on “key information” that will help lead to the man who fatally stabbed him in a tennis club car park.
He said investigators continued to sift through “good information” but still appealed for security footage.
Baldwin believed someone was sitting on “key information” and wanted them to come forward immediately.
Stephen Thorpe has been named as the victim in the Blockhouse Bay stabbing.
Police were still at the Rathlin St scene yesterday where it remained under a cordon while investigations continued.
Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin said police were preparing to lift their cordons at the club. He said the scene examination was complete.
“Police have been in contact with immediate family, who are based in Australia, and we will keep them updated as the investigation progresses,” Baldwin said.
“[Thorpe] was someone who, I read, wouldn’t have hurt anyone, and so we wonder how something like this could happen, and we all need to be careful.”
He said his office had been in touch with the Police Auckland City West area commander, and he believed police were doing the best they could.
“They’re on 24/7 deployment. They’re talking to witnesses, the usual CCTV search from the houses that could have a view of the place. So we will wait and see,” he said.
He said at this stage of the investigation, community safety was important as the killer had not yet been caught.
“We don’t know who’s out there, who’s done that, why it’s been done, and right there where everybody walks through. I walk through the Blockhouse Bay Tennis Club, that’s a very public place,” he said.
Violent struggle before death
Police had earlier revealed a “violent struggle” took place between Thorpe and his attacker.
Their attention was focused on finding Thorpe’s attacker, who was likely wearing blood-stained clothing after the fatal stabbing.
Police continue to investigate the stabbing of scientist Stephen Thorpe near the Blockhouse Bay Tennis Club yesterday. Photo / Michael Craig.
Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin said there was a “large amount of blood” at the scene and some of that would have transferred to the killer.
“This offender will have gone somewhere, likely in an agitated state and likely with some blood on him. Someone will know who this person is and I challenge them to do the right thing and come forward.”
Rachel Maher is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. She has worked for the Herald since 2022.
