Homicide inquiry launched after body found in ute

Hastings police have named the man who was found murdered in a ute in central Hawkes Bay yesterday.

He was 34-year-old Mark Allen McCutcheon.

A post mortem today has revealed the local man was fatally stabbed.

Mr McCutcheon was found shortly after 7am in a black Ford ute, which had left the road near the intersection of State Highway 50 and Wakarara Rd near Ongaonga.

The night before, Mr McCutcheon had been involved in a fight outside a rural Central Hawkes Bay hotel, Detective Senior Sergeant David de Lange of Hastings police said.

Patrons at the pub were being interviewed today about the altercation.

A scene examination was also being conducted outside the hotel.

Police have completed a scene examination at the area where Mr McCutcheon was found.

- NZPA