Man arrested in Alex Fisher case loses name suppression

Eric Fisher (left) and brother Alex Fisher (right) picture suppleid via facebook https://www.facebook.com/sandra.fisher.353 WAG 09Oct15 - RGP 09Oct15 - WGP 09Oct15 - HBG 09Oct15 - BTG 09Oct15

The man arrested in connection with the disappearance of Alex Fisher is his older brother Eric McIsaac.

McIsaac, 25, appeared in the Levin District Court today. He entered no pleas to a charge laid last week, of unlawful possession of a knife in a public place on October 6, or two other charges laid today.

McIsaac was silent throughout the hearing, simply shaking his head when Judge Gregory Ross asked him if he wanted to speak.

He occasionally looked over at his relatives, some of whom looked back.

McIsaac's name was suppressed at his first appearance last week, but that order lapsed today.

Alex Fisher was found dead at Waitarere Beach last week. Photo / Supplied

The second charge is one of burglary of a Park Ave property in Waitarere Beach.
Details of the third charge are suppressed.

Judge Ross also ordered a mental health assessment report on McIsaac.

The unlawful possession of a knife charge names Forest Rd, Waitarere Beach, as the location of the alleged offence. This is where the search for Alex was centered.

If convicted of the charge, the man faces up to three years' jail. The burglary charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years' prison.

CCTV images of Alex Fisher and his brother Eric McIsaac.

He is also due to face, next week, a charge of driving while forbidden on September 8.

McIsaac did not apply for bail and will stay in custody until next month.

Five members of Alex's family watched proceedings from one side of the court's public gallery. There was also a heavy police and court security presence in the courthouse.

Alex's body was found at Waitarere Beach on Thursday and police today said a homicide investigation - Operation Waitarere - was continuing.

"On Sunday we announced that we were looking at a burglary which took place at a property in Waitarere. We are working to establish any links between that burglary and the death of Alex Fisher," said Detective Senior Sergeant Neil Forlong.

"The investigation team remains very focused on the enquiry and we continue to assess a range of information and forensic evidence." said Mr Forlong.

Police have since appealed for sightings of Alex and McIsaac, either together or by themselves, on Sunday and Monday last week.