Police continue to investigate Whanganui death

File photo / NZ Herald

The grieving father of the man who died from injuries sustained in Whanganui on Tuesday night is understood to have been at the centre of two incidents involving police intervention yesterday.

The dead man has been named as Yusef Zurich. A post-mortem examination yesterday revealed he had severe arm wounds, sustained at a flat where he was partying.

Mr Zurich was taken to hospital and dropped off, but died shortly after.

It is understood that Mr Zurich's father was moved on by police yesterday afternoon after he stopped in at Dempsey and Forrest funeral home to ask about his son's funeral.

However, the body was not at the funeral home and is believed to be destined for Rukumoana Marae in Morrinsville, where Mr Zurich will be buried beside his mother.

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The dead man's father later turned up at Wanganui Hospital asking to see his son's body and police were called again.

Police declined to comment.

Meanwhile, police are continuing to take statements from witnesses and area inquiries are being undertaken to identify other potential witnesses to the events on Tuesday night.

A scene examination is likely to continue for another few days.

Detective Senior Sergeant David Kirby said he could not give more details about the injury that led to Mr Zurich's death or its cause because he did not want to influence the accounts of witnesses.

It is understood the dead man was a former gang member with a criminal history.

His name appeared among warrants published in the Chronicle in 2010 for failing to appear on two charges of violent behaviour.

However, a Facebook post by Whanganui District councillor Jack Bullock indicated the late Mr Zurich may have turned his back on crime.

"A young life taken far too early, after making some big brave decisions to turn his life around, he had a promising future, may he RIP."

Police want to hear from anyone who was at the Bedford Ave address on Tuesday who they have not yet spoken to.

They are alos keen to trace the movements of a red Ford Telstar they believe was used to take Mr Zurich to hospital.