Person found dead in Dunedin suburb as police launch investigation

A person has been found dead in the Dunedin suburb of Pine Hill this morning, in what police are currently treating as “unexplained”.

Police and emergency services rushed to a Hillary St house around 9am.

Otago Daily Times reports that a local said they saw a man lying outside a broken window surrounded by blood and shards of glass.

Senior Sergeant Anthony Bond said police were still investigating whether the incident was a homicide or suicide.

“The circumstances are not yet clear,” he said.

A large cordon surrounds the area, with a large police presence, with some officers armed.

Specialist forensic officers in white boiler suits have also arrived to conduct a scene examination.

“Cordons are in place and the public can expect to see an increased police presence while inquiries are undertaken into the circumstances of the incident,” Bond said.

Forensic officers have arrived to conduct a scene examination. Photo / Ben Tomsett

“There is no ongoing safety risk to the public arising from the incident. More details will be provided when they are available.”

This afternoon, police appealed for the public’s help, asking if anyone “who has any information that may assist police, or saw any unusual activity in Hillary Street between 28 and 29 January 2024 contact 105 and quote the file number 240129/7479.”

A large cordon surrounds the scene. Photo / Ben Tomsett

A neighbour who has lived on the street for 22 years said they were not sure what had happened, but it was usually a quiet street and this incident was unusual.

“Occasionally we get a few loud motorbikes coming up the hill, but that’s about it,” they told the Herald.