Motel killing: Victim named

Police at the scene of the homicide. Photo / Steven McNicholl

Police have named the victim who died in hospital after suffering injuries at a motel in Epsom yesterday.

Ihaia Gillman-Harris, 54, died early yesterday morning not long after checking into the Ascot Motel at about 8am.

Ihaia Gillman-Harris

Detective Inspector Scott Beard, of Auckland Central Police, said police were still hunting for two men who checked in with Mr Gillman-Harris and who were seen leaving the motel shortly before Mr Gillman-Harris approached motel staff asking for help.

He had earlier spent Christmas day in Wellington before travelling to Auckland on Boxing Day.

The vehicle he drove to Auckland was a silver Mazda 626 with a number plate: WJ2383.

Mr Beard appealed to the public for help in tracking the two men, whose relationship to the victim is still unknown.

"This is a tragedy for the Gillman-Harris family. It's the festive season but it's turned to a state of tragedy for them."

"Mr Gillman-Harris lived a private life and we are interested to hear from anyone who knows anything about him and could shed some information on the life he lived,

A scene examination at the motel has been completed and a post-mortem examination will be conducted on Mr Gillman-Harris's body tomorrow. Police are not able to confirm if there was any weapon used in the assault.

Motel owner Owner Anuj Gupta said the man checked in shortly after 8am with two younger men he told staff were "his nephews".

An hour later he walked into reception with blood coming from a head wound and asked for help.

"We were under the impression that the people he was with - he was calling them nephews - we thought it was family."

Motel staff thought the man's injuries were from an accident and did not realise they were life-threatening.

Gupta said they were shocked to learn he had died and the room was now a crime scene. "It's one of the worst days of my life today," he said. "It's terrible, especially during Christmas time. You expect people to come and be with family and have a good holiday."

The man had stayed at the motel before and had never given any cause for concern. "He just came like a normal customer, like me or you would check into a place when you need accommodation.

"He was driving an alright car, behaving alright, had stayed with us in the past - there was no reason to believe he was under any distress or anything."

The motel remained open yesterday. Police told Gupta the crime scene was confined to the room, but several guests had decided to leave anyway.

Police have released images of the men suspected of being involved in the attack. Photos / Supplied

The men police are searching for were seen leaving the area shortly before the victim was found.

Police also want to hear of any sightings of a dark blue Range Rover in the area between 8am and midday.

Detective Senior Sergeant Andrew Fabish said it was clear a violent incident had taken place. Anyone with information should call police on 09 302 6400 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.