The unexplained death of a man in the Auckland suburb of Ellerslie overnight is being treated as a homicide.
However, that will not be confirmed until after the post-mortem is complete, police say. It is being treated as a homicide due to the circumstances found at the scene, police say.
Police were called to the property on Celtic Crescent around 8pm yesterday, following a report of a man found unresponsive.
The 66-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police are now appealing for sightings of his wife, 67-year-old woman, Mei Han Chong, who is "missing from the address". They are also seeking information or sightings of a blue Kia Rio, registration NJN927, which was last seen at the Celtic Crescent address on Saturday after 11pm.
The scene of an unexplained death on Celtic Crescent in Ellerslie. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Police believed Mei Han Chong was last at the property over the weekend.
Detective Inspector Scott Beard told Checkpoint the car was driven by the deceased man from the North Shore just after 11pm Saturday 4 October. He could not say if his wife was in the car too.
"At this stage in the investigation, that is the last time we have seen the deceased alive."
Police do not know when it was last seen driving away.
A relative contacted police after they saw the deceased at the property on Monday night, he said.
"At this stage, we haven't found any weapons, but it is very early in the scene examination. And the injuries, as I say, we don't know the cause of death, and that's what the postmortem tomorrow should help us determine."
Listen to the interview with Detective Inspector Scott Beard
During a press briefing, Beard said "at present there is a scene examination taking place at Ellerslie and we expect that to last for two to three days. A post-mortem examination will be conducted tomorrow".
Police were working with and supporting the family, Beard said.
The family were concerned because they did not know where Chong was, he said.
Beard said police had made inquiries to see if Chong has left New Zealand but at this stage that did not appear to be the case.
Detective Inspector Scott Beard. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Asked if she was a suspect, he said they were keeping an open mind about what happened, and she could instead be a victim.
Mei Han Chong Photo: Supplied / Police
"We don't know and it's very early in the investigation."
Asked if she was considered dangerous, he said: "If the public see Mei, please contact the police and let us deal with locating her".
The man's body was found by a family member at a home owned by the family, Beard said. Just the couple lived at the house.
Until a scene examination was completed, police would not know what had happened or how to assess it, he said.
"Part of our ongoing investigation is doing an area canvas and so we're knocking on doors of people close by to see if they can assist.
"We have to go where the evidence takes us."
Profiling family members was also part of the investigation, Beard said.
Police were not looking for anyone else at this stage, but were keeping an "open mind" as the investigation continues.