Police believe Dunedin man was in a confrontation before death

StuffOtago Daily TimesNZ HeraldRNZ1NewsFriday 23 October 2026 · 5 outlets · 7 reports · updated
Photo: Otago Daily Times (opens in new tab)

Police say 40-year-old David Noah had injuries consistent with an assault before being found unresponsive on Leckhampton Court on 30 September. While a post-mortem has not established the cause of death, investigators believe he was in a confrontation shortly before dying. His death remains unexplained.

Key facts

4 facts
  • David Noah, 40, died on 30 September 2026StuffOtago Daily TimesNZ Herald1News
  • Body found on Leckhampton Court, Clyde Hill, DunedinStuffNZ Herald1News
  • Post-mortem found injuries consistent with assaultStuffOtago Daily TimesNZ Herald1News
  • Death is being treated as unexplainedStuffOtago Daily TimesNZ HeraldRNZ1News

The full story

1 min read · 5 outlets

Police are investigating the unexplained death of 40-year-old David Noah, who was found unresponsive on Leckhampton Court in Clyde Hill around 11pm on 30 September. A post-mortem examination failed to establish a clear cause of death but identified injuries consistent with an assault.StuffOtago Daily TimesNZ Herald1News

Investigators believe Noah was involved in a confrontation shortly before he died. Police have pieced together his movements, suggesting he left his home and arrived at Leckhampton Court a short time later. A witness reported hearing two men arguing during that period, and police believe one of those men was Noah.Stuff1News

Detective Senior Sergeant Hayden Smale stated that there was growing tension between Noah and a person of interest in the hours leading up to the incident. Smale also suggested that some people may be withholding information or being untruthful about the events of that night.Stuff1News

Police have appealed for anyone with information, including CCTV or dashcam footage from the area, to contact them via 105 or Crime Stoppers.Otago Daily TimesNZ HeraldStuff1News

How it developed

  • Sat 24 Oct, 4:28pmPolice identified a person of interest and noted growing tension between that individual and Noah in the hours before his death.Stuff

Where reports differ

  • One report describes the location as South Dunedin, while others specify Clyde Hill.Otago Daily TimesNZ Herald1News

Compiled from reports by Stuff, Otago Daily Times, NZ Herald, RNZ and 1News.

How they headlined it

First reported by Stuff, Fri 23 Oct, 10:49am · 7 reports from 5 outlets over 46 hours
  1. StuffStuff

    ‘Someone was present’ in moments before man’s unexplained death, police say (opens in new tab)

  2. Otago Daily TimesOtago Daily Times

    Man found dead on Dunedin street had been assaulted — police (opens in new tab)

  3. NZ HeraldNZ Herald

    Dunedin death: Police reveal David Noah had injuries consistent with assault (opens in new tab)

  4. RNZRNZ

    Police investigation into fatal Dunedin fire still ongoing (opens in new tab)

  5. 1News1News

    Dunedin man was in confrontation shortly before he died, police say (opens in new tab)