New Zealand / Law

Name suppression lapses for accused man in body in burnt out car case

10:12 am on 1 May 2024

Photo: 123rf.com

The person accused of murdering a man whose body was found in a burnt out car in Hastings in March can now be named as Chalton Mason Lawson.

Patrick Te Tini Reweti's body was found in the car in Flaxmere on 26 March.

Lawson was charged with murder and wilful damage later that week, and was granted interim name suppression, which has since lapsed.

The 30-year-old is due to appear at the High Court in Napier on 21 June.

The police have not said how Reweti died but described the act as "abhorrent".

They are continuing their investigation, and want to speak to the occupants of a light coloured vehicle seen on Stock Road and Irongate Road, in Flaxmere between 7.30pm and 9pm on 26 March.

"We believe they may have seen the vehicle Patrick was found in," police said in a statement.

A death notice posted by Reweti's family described him as a humble soul, and a devoted father, son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend to many.

He was laid to rest at Poupatatē Marae in Manawatū.