1998 West Coast murder cold case

The story so far

Police have reopened the investigation into the 1998 murder of a man whose body was found on a West Coast beach, after re-interviewing people in Kakapotahi.^{26 Feb 2025; 6, 26 Mar 2025} New information includes reports of a single gunshot heard about two weeks before the body was found.^{26 Feb 2025} In March 2025, police were investigating a new eyewitness account that placed the man in Kakapotahi and may link to a green 4x4 vehicle.^{6 Mar 2025} Police have also appealed for anyone who owned a .22 calibre firearm in the West Coast area in 1998 to come forward.^{26 Mar 2025}

Latest

Police have appealed for anyone who owned a .22 calibre firearm in the West Coast area in 1998 to come forward.^{26 Mar 2025}

Key moments

1. 26 Feb 2025Police review fresh details after re-interviewing people in Kakapotahi, including a reported gunshot.
2. 6 Mar 2025New eyewitness account reportedly places the man in Kakapotahi, linked to a green 4x4.
3. 26 Mar 2025Police appeal for owners of .22 calibre firearms from the West Coast in 1998.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.