Sandringham murder: Victim's property ransacked before 'prolonged and violent' killing

Police outside a block of units on Calgary Road Sandringham where the body of Shannon Baker was found. Photo / Leon Menzies

Police investigating the death of Shannon Baker believe two previous incidents at his address may be connected to his violent death.

Baker, 55, was found dead inside his home on Calgary St, Sandringham, on December 11.

He was the victim of a violent assault and police believe he died in the early hours of the morning.

A large group of detectives have been working on the investigation, dubbed Operation Epopeus, for more than a month in an effort to find those responsible for Baker's death.

In a media briefing on Friday afternoon, Detective Inspector Aaron Pascoe said Baker had been subjected to a violent death and the investigation was being treated as a "who-done-it".

Police are treating the death of Shannon Baker as a homicide. Photo / Supplied

"We knew our scene examination was going to be critical in trying to establish what occurred, hence we spent eight days at the scene and the investigation has taken quite some time to get to where we are today," he said.

Police believe Baker was targeted by offenders, with the motivation of robbery.

"Through speaking with his associates, we have discovered two earlier occasions in December where Baker's address was targeted.

"This information has come second hand from his associates so we are unable to delve into detail, but we have a consistent story that Baker was telling his friends that has lead us to this information," Pascoe said.

"The first incident occurred on Sunday, December 2, where two male offenders arrived at the property and threatened Baker, before stealing property including [his] wallet."

The wallet was described as a Hugo Boss-branded item made of brown leather and possibly adorned with a blue stripe.

Pascoe said at least one of these offenders returned to Baker's house four days later, on December 6, and threatened him again.

During these earlier incidents, Pascoe said Baker's property was searched, ransacked and drawers tipped out.

"We have also discovered - during a scene examination - that there was a safe at his address, and we believe that the offenders - on the night of his death - have found that safe.

"The safe was not opened and we believe that it may be one of the reasons he was subjected to a prolonged and violent attack," he said.

"We do not believe they have accessed the safe, as we have accessed it, and there was an amount of money in it."

Pascoe said there wasn't an enormous amount of money in the safe, but it "wasn't insignificant"

Shannon Baker from Sandringham. Photo / Supplied

Neither of the earlier incidents were reported to police, he said.

Police believe there is likely to be a link between these previous incidents and Baker's death.

"We don't believe Shannon Baker was the victim of a random attack," Pascoe said.

"Through our inquiries we believe he was targeted ... [and] there was more than one offender involved in his death."

Pascoe would not provide any description of the offenders, but said police believe there were at least two people inside Baker's address on the night of his death.

He also wouldn't give any detail on how Baker died.

"That is something we want to hold within the investigative team at this point. It is something we may be prepared to release later, but not at this point."

Pascoe said both drug and gang relations were being considered in the investigation.

"I certainly can't discount either at this time," he said.

The only item Police have identified as being taken on the night of Baker's death is the electronic key (similar to that pictured) to his green 2001 Mercedes. Photo / Supplied

Another item of interest to police is a electronic key to Baker's green 2001 Mercedes, which was stolen on the night of his death.

Pascoe said it was possible the offenders took his car key for the purposes of searching his car, so police have examined the vehicle as well.

Baker was last seen by an associate when he dropped them at an address not far from his house on the evening of his death.

He then went to another location and purchased a takeaway meal from KFC. Police believe he got home around 11pm.

Police believe he was alone in his vehicle when he purchased that meal, and that his travel on that evening doesn't have any direct part in his death.

Baker wasn't working at the time of his death, and left behind two adult children.

Police are now appealing for anyone with information about the stolen wallet or key.

"We also want to hear from anyone who saw suspicious activity on Calgary St, not only on the night of Baker's death, but also on December 2 and 6," Pascoe said.

"We believe there are multiple people who know who is responsible for the death of Shannon Baker and we urge them to do the right thing and contact us.

"I want to reassure the community that we are determined to establish who was involved so we can hold them to account and get closure for his family."

Pascoe's message to anyone with information about Baker's death is "do the right thing".

• Anyone with information is asked to contact police by phoning 0800 EPOPEUS (0800 376 7387) or email OpEPOPEUS@police.govt.nz. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.