Mangere murder investigation

Press, 24 February 1987, Page 6

Mangere murder investigation

PA Auckland New Zealand detectives have Interviewed a man in Western Samoa in connection with the murder of Neville Stirling, said a police spokesman yesterday. The pair, from Otahuhu C. 1.8., flew to Apia last week in search of the man, a Mangere process worker, aged 23, who left Auckland on February 11, the day after Mr Stirling

died in hospital from head injuries. Mr Stirling, aged 23, was allegedly bashed by three men in Ferguson Park, Mangere, on the evening of February 7. Two men have been

charged with his murder. Detective Senior-Ser-geant Peter Mitford-Bur-gess, who is in charge of the inquiry, said it was yet to be decided whether New Zealand police would apply for extradition of the Samoan-born man. “We would hope, if extradition goes ahead, to have him back in Auckland in a month,” Detective Senior-Sergeant Mit-ford-Burgess said.

The man, who has a permanent address in Mangere, was not known to the police at the time he left the country. His possible link with the case established "as a result of inquiries.”