Mystery death: Police seize van

The site where Matthew Steven's body and car were found on the Paekakariki Hill Road.

Police have seized a blue Toyota Hiace van they believe may be connected to the death of Lower Hutt man Matthew Stevens.

Police have asked anyone who may have seen the 1994 blue Toyota Hiace van from the night of Thursday 27 November through to the morning of Friday 28 to come forward.

Mr Stevens, 32, was last seen buying a six-pack of beer at a Lower Hutt supermarket at 10.30pm on November 27.

His body was found the next morning near his white Toyota Corolla in thick bush on a steep slope off Paekakariki Hill Road about 35 kms away.

Police at first thought his car had been abandoned but the inquiry was upgraded to a homicide when a post mortem examination showed that Mr Stevens had died of stab wounds to his torso.

Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Sears said he believed the van, which would now undergo forensic testing, was connected to Mr Stevens' death.

"We believe the van has travelled around the Lower Hutt area and the Paekakariki Hill Road area on that Thursday night and Friday morning."

He said it was a typical tradesmen style van with seats in the front and shelving in the back with assorted containers for bolts and screws.

"One distinctive feature of the van is that it has the factory fitted wheels on the front but slightly smaller light grey mag wheels and tyres on the rear."

He asked anyone with information to contact the Operation Vintage investigation team on 04 381 2000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.