Arthur Easton was killed in 1985. In 2022 Alan Hall's wrongful conviction of murder was overturned. Photo: Supplied / Police
A team of detectives has travelled to Australia as they reinvestigate the killing of Arthur Easton 39 years ago.
On the evening of Sunday 13 October 1985, a man entered the Easton's family home on Grove Rd, Papakura and stabbed Easton, 52, to death.
Alan Hall was wrongfully convicted of Easton's murder and spent 19 years in prison for the crime. His conviction was overturned in 2022.
Police announced a [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/532176/police-offer-100-000-reward-immunity-in-arthur-easton-murder-case $100,000 reward and possible immunity from prosecution in October in an appeal for information
Detective Inspector Warrick Adkin of Counties Manukau CIB said since then they had received about 20 calls and emails with information relating to the case.
That led police to travel to Australia to speak to a number of individuals, he said.
A small group from the investigation team travelled to Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland last week.
"The visit across three states in Australia was beneficial to the investigation," Adkin said.
"Speaking to these individuals we have received additional context surrounding some of the original information provided to police almost 40 years ago."
Police were hopeful that people in Papakura and the wider community would continue to come forward.
"There are still people who have not yet spoken to police and who may have information relating to Arthur's death," he said. "Please contact us, now is the time to share what you know, no matter how insignificant it may seem."
Anyone with information can contact 0800 GROVE 1985 (0800 47683 1985) or email Operation.Grove1985@police.govt.nz. Information can also be provided online at https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105 or by calling 105, using the reference number 200520/4108.
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