Police launch homicide inquiry in Feilding

Police examine the scene of the fatal, and unexplained, shooting. Photo / Mark Coote

The dawn slaying of a Feilding dairy farmer in his driveway has left his shattered family struggling to find a reason for his "bizarre" murder.

Police yesterday launched a homicide inquiry into the death of Scott Grahame Guy, 31, after an autopsy confirmed he suffered multiple gunshot wounds. A neighbour in Aorangi, Manawatu, found Guy's body about 7am on Thursday.

His sister Anna Macdonald said widow Kylee, who is heavily pregnant with their second child, had been "a big mess" since her husband's body was discovered "and she's getting worse each day".

Guy's father Bryan said yesterday the family had no idea why anyone would kill his son.

He said: "Scott wasn't a man who made enemies. It's bizarre. We don't know why or who or anything - we don't know where to start looking.

"It's pretty horrible, pretty horrible. You don't expect to be burying your children."

Scott, who was born and raised in Feilding, had taken over the family farm after several years working in the Australian Outback as a cowboy. His parents moved into town to make room for their children, who now co-own the property.

His father said he had been due to work with his son on Thursday but wasn't required. "I was told I wasn't needed on Thursday morning so I didn't go out. I wish I had now."

Scott's sister Anna said her brother had been expected for early morning milking "but when he didn't turn up, we thought he'd just slept in".

Yesterday, Bryan and his wife Jo opened the doors of their Feilding home to a stream of visitors bearing flowers and pots of hot food while surrounded by their other children Anna, Nikki and Callum.

A police cordon remained in place around the Aorangi home Scott shared with his wife Kylee and 2-year-old son, Hunter.

A police forensic team was examining the scene yesterday morning, which was adorned with a bunch of flowers.

Kylee was staying at another Feilding address with Hunter and her mother.

Police spokeswoman Kim Perks confirmed there was an arson at the property in 2008. She said the 20-strong team of police investigating the murder "have turned their minds to that incident but have yet to establish there are any links".

Perks said police were also looking at crimes reported in the area and were appealing for any more accounts of suspicious or criminal behaviour.

She would not confirm whether a firearm or spent ammunition had been found at the scene and refused to be drawn on the calibre and type of weapon used.

To speak to a member of the investigation team, contact 0800 808585. Alternatively information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Rural danger highlighted

The murder of Scott Guy shows the dangers faced by rural communities, Federated Farmers rural security spokesman David Rose says.

"It would be good to find ways to work with police in community and neighbourhood watch is something they should look at again," he said.

A thinly spread police presence was part of rural life, said Rose.

"In more isolated parts of New Zealand you're away from direct police assistance."

Rose advised against farmers arming themselves to ward off intruders.

"That can lead to tragedy. It's our worst nightmare."