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Home / Whanganui Chronicle

Police say Whanganui death 'not a random attack'

Whanganui Chronicle
24 Apr, 2018 08:46 PMQuick Read

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Police have launched a homicide investigation following the death of James Butler on Sunday evening. Photo / Bevan Conley

Police have launched a homicide investigation following the death of James Butler on Sunday evening. Photo / Bevan Conley

Police say the death of 53-year-old James Butler in Whanganui on Sunday was not the reuslt of a random attack.

"The people in this incident are known to each other," a spokesperson said.

Butler was found dead after emergency services were called to a Wikitoria Rd house just before 7pm.

Police would not say if they were looking for a specific person but no one has been arrested.

"At this stage we can add nothing further for operational reasons."

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Corrections confirmed on Tuesday Butler was on a community-based sentence after a request from NZME considered under the Official Information Act.

It is believed Butler was on home detention.

Read more: Police name man at centre of homicide investigation

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A homicide investigation was launched after Butler was found dead and another man in his 50s was found seriously injured.

The second man was taken to Whanganui Hospital and was reported to be in a stable condition.

A post-mortem examination was expected to be completed on Wednesday.

Police have asked anybody with information to come forward.

Discover more

New Zealand|crime

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Whanganui homicide investigation continues

19 Sep 11:35 PM
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Six charged with murdering Whanganui man James Butler

10 Oct 05:12 AM

'Crown can't say who did pull the trigger' - defence lawyer

02 Mar 04:00 AM

Anyone who may have information is asked to contact police by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 11.

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