Abdul Nabizadah. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Police have revealed new details six months into their investigation of a fatal attack on a Wellington man, believing a multiple people and a weapon may have been involved.
Abdul Nabizadah, 63, was found critically injured on the corner of Camperdown Road in the suburb of Miramar in the early hours of 17 March.
He was discovered by police who were called to a home invasion a block away on Darlington Road.
Police said despite best efforts, Nabizadah's head injuries were unsurvivable and he died in hospital the next day.
A 28-year-old man is facing aggravated burglary charges, but no charges have been laid in relation to Nabizadah's death.
Police have previously told RNZ they think Nabizadah was "set up" to be robbed, but it took a violent turn.
Blood on the pavement on Camperdown Road. Photo: RNZ / REECE BAKER
Wellington Criminal Investigations Branch manager, Detective Senior Sergeant Tim Leitch said police believe a cellphone left behind at the Darlington Road property was used to lure Nabizadah to Camperdown Road where he was attacked.
"After an extensive investigation, we now believe there was more than one person involved in the plan to rob Mr Nabizadah, and that this may have included the use of a weapon.
"The offenders, who stole nothing more than his car keys, then callously left him bleeding and unconscious on the footpath with serious head injuries."
Leitch said the investigation team had previously identified a connection between the homicide and the aggravated burglary, which took place 90 minutes after Nabizadah was assaulted.
"At around 2am, a man was discovered inside the Darlington Road address, leading to a physical altercation and injuries to one of the home's occupants."
Police told RNZ in July that they had identified and spoken to a woman linked to messages which drew Nabizadah to Miramar.
Detective Inspector Nick Pritchard said at the time that the woman was known to both Nabizadah and the man facing burglary charges.
Police at the scene on Darlington Road, Miramar. Photo: RNZ / REECE BAKER
Leitch said there had been varying levels of cooperation from those thought to be involved, as well as information from the public - but said it wasn't too late and urged anyone, with any details, to get in touch.
"While we understand it may be difficult for people to speak with us, if it was your family member, what would you want someone with information to do?
"Every piece of information, no matter how small you think it may be, is vital to our investigation."
He said six months on, the Nabizadah family still didn't have closure and needed to move on.
"Nabizadah was a husband, father, and grandfather, who brought his family to New Zealand from Afghanistan seeking a better life. Instead, his life was taken in a violent and senseless way."
Anyone with any information is asked to call 105, referencing numbers 250317/6324 or Operation Celtic. Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
