James Kahu moved from prison to prison, avoiding his family after killing his stepfather almost a decade ago.
After four prisons, his self-imposed estrangement ended on Wednesday when the 36-year-old was found dead in the nursery compound at Kaitoke Prison near Wanganui.
Police are investigating his death, andwere yesterday speaking to other inmates and staff. A scene examination was also being carried out with assistance of scientists from the Institute of Environmental Science and Research.
"There are circumstances surrounding the death that require police to look more closely at the events that lead to the death of [Kahu]," said Inspector Duncan McLeod, area commander for Wanganui.
The Department of Corrections would not comment because of the police investigation.
Kahu was jailed in March 1998 for the murder of his stepfather, Timi Papa Tahakura, 47, during a party in the family garage in Huntly. The men argued over a bottle of beer and Kahu, then 27, stabbed his victim 16 times.
When he was sentenced in the High Court at Hamilton, the court heard of the long-standing tension between Kahu and Mr Tahakura.
Kahu told police his stepfather had always made him feel worthless.
Kahu's mother said yesterday she had tried to contact her son during his time in prison but he refused to see her.
The mother, who did not want to be identified, said: "Every time I wrote to him, he moved to a different prison, I think because he was shamed."
