Post-mortem examination begins in Boulcott Street homicide

A post-mortem examination is being carried out this afternoon on the body of 43 year old Phillip Cottrell who died as a result of fatal injuries sustained in an incident in Boulcott Street, Wellington early on Saturday morning.

Officer in charge Detective Senior Sergeant Scott Miller of the Wellington CIB says a homicide investigation was launched yesterday afternoon after Mr Cottrell passed away in Wellington Hospital.

"We know Mr Cottrell left work at Radio New Zealand on The Terrace at about 5:30am on Saturday morning. Around ten minutes later, he was found unconscious by a taxi driver, outside the Baptist Church on Boulcott Street."

A scene examination began yesterday and an area canvas is still underway. Police are also in the process of obtaining and reviewing CCTV footage within the central city.

Detective Senior Sergeant Miller says, "We are yet to locate Mr Cottrell's wallet he was believed to be carrying at the time of the incident. We would like to hear from anyone who may have found an old-looking brown leather wallet over the weekend in the vicinity of Boulcott Street or the wider central city area."

Police also urge anyone with any information, who may have seen or heard anything suspicious early on Saturday morning to contact Police, if they haven't been spoken to over the past 48 hours.

"Police also extend our sympathies to Mr Cottrell's family and colleagues at Radio New Zealand. At this stage, his death appears to be unprovoked and totally unnecessary. We are determined to find those responsible for this vicious attack and bring them to justice."

Anyone with any information should contact Wellington Police on (04) 381 2000 or phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.