Tributes flow for 'sweet, kind man'

Tributes are flowing for a former Rotorua man murdered in Wellington, with friends describing him as a "kind, sweet and talented" person who always had a smile.

Huri King-Mosen was found dead in his home in Hutt Valley earlier this week. Police are treating his death as a homicide after the release of the post-mortem examination results.

The 24-year-old is originally from Rotorua. He attended Rotorua Lakes High School for a short period and was working in hairdressing in Wellington.

A service was to be held in Wellington last night before his body was returned to Rotorua. He will be returning to Ngati Te Roro o te Rangi to rest at Owhata Marae before his funeral at 11am on Monday.

As news of his death spread, friends paid tribute on Facebook with dozens of messages during the past two days.

They paid tribute to his kind heart and sweet nature.

One wrote: "You spread joy and happiness like magic" while another wrote: "Everyone has the same thoughts of what a gentle and fun person you are and that winning smile is infectious."

One family member posted that he would be remembered as a "generous soul with the most wickedest sense of humour".

"You are the most caring son that parents could ask for, the uncle that spoils his nephews by giving them lollies behind their parents backs, the cousin and friend who everyone shares a laugh with," she said.

"Your soul touched many and you're loved by everyone you've come in contact with. You will be sorely missed by your whanau, friends, colleagues and clients."

Ambulance and fire service staff were called to Mr King-Mosen's home around 3pm on Tuesday. Mr King-Mosen was last in contact with family members on Monday and police said they were interested in hearing from anyone who saw people or vehicles arriving or leaving the Puriri St property that day. Anyone with any information should contact Hutt Valley police on (04) 560 2600.