Police believe Dunedin man was in a confrontation before death

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.
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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.![]()
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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.![]()
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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.![]()
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Police have appealed for anyone with information, including CCTV or dashcam footage from the area, to contact them via 105 or Crime Stoppers.![]()
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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.

Where reports differ
Compiled from reports by Stuff, Otago Daily Times, NZ Herald, RNZ and 1News.
How they headlined it
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Stuff‘Someone was present’ in moments before man’s unexplained death, police say (opens in new tab)
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Otago Daily TimesMan found dead on Dunedin street had been assaulted — police (opens in new tab)
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NZ HeraldDunedin death: Police reveal David Noah had injuries consistent with assault (opens in new tab)
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RNZPolice investigation into fatal Dunedin fire still ongoing (opens in new tab)
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1NewsDunedin man was in confrontation shortly before he died, police say (opens in new tab)